The fear of not sleeping mostly has to do with your state of mental preparedness ahead of the next day of work/school. One sleep study, highlighted in the Guardian as “A Cure for Insomnia”, found that getting up at the same time every day helped the participant’s body feel sleepy around the same time every night. Being easily startled or feeling constantly “on edge.”. Although many people may feel obsessive or may double-check certain things twice, those with OCD typically spend more than an hour a day obsessing over the images or thoughts in their head, and many experience significant problems in their life due to their condition. Being awake is not a common fear. Creating a routine can be an effective way to combat sleep anxiety and insomnia. Put your fears to rest by practicing some-if not all-of the techniques listed above. Some people take a warm bath, while others choose to read a book. Increased chance of unhealthy weight fluctuation. However, it has to do with wrapping your head around the idea of actually going to bed, mostly for fear of bad dreams or nightmares. Additionally, some recent studies, such as one conducted by Harvard Health, have come to find that “blue light” (any light that is blue in hue, which is common with televisions, laptops, and smartphones) can keep the brain active, stimulated, and awake, as it suppresses the secretion of the hormone melatonin. Winnie Yu for WebMD suggests creating a nightly routine can help relax your body as it starts to anticipate and expect sleep as you follow through each step. Other studies show the same thing, but it’s great that the development over time has been documented,” says Bjorvatn. Feelings of restlessness or being unable to calm down. There are also people that suffer from both anxiety and insomnia, with each symptom being independent of the other. At the core of his findings is the determination that being sleep deprived actually alters your brain connection. As noted through a collection of sleep studies, lack of sleep can increase a person’s risk of dying by up to 12% compared to those that get a regular 8 hours of sleep. My fear of sleeping out didn’t diminish, and I went through high school avoiding it. We don’t spam! It is also called ‘Hypnophobia’, the fear of being hypnotized, a condition where the person is literally made to go in a sleep-like state. anxiety that accompanies the realization that you are not sleeping. For many people, cutting out caffeine from their diet can be very difficult, but caffeine can greatly hamper your ability to fall asleep. Some of the most severe cases of panic attacks may cause agoraphobia or the fear of leaving the home. People often scoff at the idea of meditating but there is honestly some merit to pursuing these relaxation techniques. Your tax deductible gift allows us to continue helping you along with Service Members, First Responders, and civilians navigate stressful situations to have a happier, more rewarding life. Insomnia can also make you more irritable and more worried, as your brain is not getting all the sleep it needs in order to function at normal levels. As is so often the case in life, the more you try to do something, the harder it is to actually realize that objective. Thus, Somniphobia is the fear of sleeping or falling asleep. It does the nerves some good. Sometimes all it really requires is understanding why you are not sleeping. We don’t spam! The subconscious fear of not being able to sleep can become so severe that it essentially takes over almost everything. this site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. It is the single greatest barrier to success. Glossophobia – The fear of public speaking. Looking at the clock will only cause your anxiety to get worse, so avoid it altogether. Those suffering from anxiety disorders may also have this type of phobia. At the beginning, end, and all throughout the five years, the participants were asked to rank their insomnia based on severity. All three of those things are totally frightening to most human beings, especially the last one which ultimately requires a complete lifestyle change. A person cannot survive without sleep, so you will have to get some needed sleep ASAP. Using a night light or keeping the light on is not a big deal if you don't disturb others. Another way to prep your body for bedtime is to practice some relaxation techniques as you prepare for bed. Although it may not have a fancy name, the extreme or irrational fear of sleeping alone qualifies as a phobia. There may also be specific coping mechanisms to help manage anxiety disorders, however, a permanent “cure” for anxiety does not currently exist. This can include being unable to leave the home before turning off all the dials in the house and checking all the locks twice, or feeling a compelling urge to drive a specific route in order to avoid potential (but not real) dangers. Recurring nightmares, flashbacks, or fearful thoughts related to the incident. Often the sufferer is terrified of what might happen if … There is much research to suggest that sleep deprivation may be harmful. Below are some of the most common types, as well as some of their symptoms and effects. However, it’s not uncommon to experience anxiety related to sleep. Trying to implement some of the strategies outlined above and you will certainly be on your way to achieving some sleep. It could also be getting in the way of you achieving a good night’s sleep. You should not try to self-medicate for anxiety disorders, and should only medicate per the medical advice and supervision of a psychiatrist. Also to be taken into consideration is the fact that those who are sleep deprived are less likely to take risks. Stress causes anxiety and then anxiety leads to a lack of sleep and possibly insomnia. Lack of sleep may be worse than not sleeping at all when it comes to fear, trauma. It seems like such a simple thing to do but so many of us simply do not do it. These same women typically sleep well when their partners or family members are home, but a night solo can trigger intense fear. Ensuring a Restful Environment Establish a bedtime ritual. Shares 5 Share Tweet Email. At the same time, strong evidence indicates that sleeping problems are not only a symptom of anxiety. Having sleep problems such as insomnia, restlessness, or feeling unsatisfied from sleep. The fear of not being able to sleep ends up driving insomnia. Recognizing that “the fear of not sleeping” is what actually be keeping you awake. Fear of Not Sleeping. Ornithophobia – The fear of birds. It could be that your brain is unable to get a full cycle of REM sleep, or that your breathing is hampered by sleep apnea. This level of anxiety is often confused with something medical professionals call Somniphobia, which is actually the dread of sleeping. As Winnie Yu, a writer for WebMD noted in her article “Scared to Sleep,” sleep anxiety is a form of performance anxiety. I had to admit, it sounded so me. You could be experiencing some form of chronic pain, you could be depressed (one that often flies under the radar) and generally ill. One of the most common symptoms is a fear of embarrassment or being negatively judged by others. The National Sleep Foundation has a useful sleep log you can try to get yourself started. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder affecting 3 million Americans that is characterized by the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for extended periods of time. Helpful, trusted answers from doctors: Dr. Ponce on fear of not sleeping: Fear of sleeping alone in the dark may reflect separation anxiety, most often seen in younger children. In addition, insomnia may also result in an increased risk for accidents due to daytime sleepiness or may cause other issues related to work and school. Typically, PTSD can cause: Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia): Social phobia is an intense fear or worry related to social or performance situations that, according to the ADAA, affects about 15 million Americans. Anxiety disorders should only be diagnosed by a licensed therapist or medical professional, and these professionals can also help you find treatment regimens as well as, potentially, medications to control the condition. Type 1: highly distressed, often struggling with neuroticism or prone to anxiety and feeling tense. Most commonly, this arises in relation to school, work, or public places. While experiencing anxiety attacks may cause many people to feel exhausted or fatigued, the act of falling asleep may actually become harder due to the anxiety and the body’s sense of worry or fear. Your sleep becomes fragmented and the quality of that sleep decreases. fear of not sleeping. Again, this helps distract from the fact that you are afraid of not getting enough sleep. TipTopSleep.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This is the hormone responsible for helping you fall asleep, so try avoiding blue light, or wearing amber glasses to suppress the effects of the light, at least two hours prior to bedtime. It is difficult to always understand the causes of insomnia but when an individual establishes that he or she is suffering from it, it is common for that individual to think about insomnia throughout the course of the day – and even the night. The fear of sleep is related to fear of the unknown. You can also create your own in a personal journal. Say Goodbye to your Fear of Sleeping Alone. You may be diagnosed with somniphobia if your fear of sleeping: affects sleep quality negatively affects physical or emotional health causes persistent anxiety and distress related to sleep causes problems at work, school, or in your personal life has lasted more than six months causes you to … Instead of thinking negatively about the situation, you may start to feel calmer instead, accepting the situation as an unfortunate one, but not one that will set you back. Consider decluttering the room and regularly changing the bedding or adding a rug to make the space more appealing and comfortable. Anxiety disorders come in many forms. Both conditions can cause you to lay awake for hours, wondering if you will ever get even a wink of sleep before your day starts again. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is the development of anxiety or fear due to a shocking, scary, or life-threatening and dangerous event. Some of the most common forms of PTSD develop from being involved in a war or being the victim of domestic violence or sexual assault, but even small events — such as the sudden death of a loved one — can cause PTSD symptoms to develop in some people. If you come into your bedroom and still can’t sleep, don’t just lay there and wait for slumber to hit. Additionally, anxiety can cause serious sleep issues, such as insomnia. Ironically, this stress can make it even harder to fall asleep! Every night, about a third of adults have problems falling or staying asleep that aren't related to a persistent sleep disorder. Breathing difficulties or fear of having an attack may make it more difficult to fall asleep, as can the use of steroids or other breathing medications that also have a stimulating effect, similar to that of caffeine. So, the prospects of you encountering some form of fear are significantly heightened when you are not sleeping enough. The severity of insomnia can be broken down into five categories, which were highlighted in a 2019 study published by The Lancet Psychiatry that interviewed about 4,000 people who struggle with sleeping over a period of five years. Once you do start feeling sleepy, allow yourself to go to bed and focus on your breathing instead of any other anxieties. Monophobia – The fear of being alone. Additionally, other fears such as recurring nightmares, fear of sleep apnea (not breathing while being asleep), and more can all lead to disturbed sleep. Additionally, participating in a sleep study may help you identify certain patterns related to your nighttime routine. Some common symptoms may include: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): According to the National Institute of Mental Health, OCD is a condition affecting 2.2 million Americans that causes people to have reoccurring, uncontrollable, and disturbing thoughts, urges, or mental images (obsessions) that can create serious anxiety for the sufferer. Start keeping a log of not only your sleep but the habits that feature prominently in your life. After this lousy night of sleep, a negative association develops, and sleep begins to be linked with insomnia. According to the ADAA, about 6.8 million Americans suffer from GAD every year. Adequately treating some of those conditions and addressing the impact some of the medication might be having on your sleep patterns will go a long way towards solving your sleep-related issues. Remember that you may not achieve success overnight, but a process of teaching you, your mind and your body good habits to get you relaxed and sleeping. Finally, if you’re still struggling to find sleep, you can always resort to seeking out therapy. When you stop wondering why you are not sleeping, the irrational fear that accompanies the failure to get enough sleep will also be eroded. Feeling cold and sleepy is a hallmark of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). amazon and the amazon logo are trademarks of amazon.com, inc. or its affiliates." Routines can really do wonders in calming the brain. Type 4: slightly distressed and high reactivity, or being very sensitive to stressful life events. The categories and types are broken down as follows: Additionally, there are different forms of insomnia that a person may struggle with, including the following: Sleep is an essential function that the body needs in order to recuperate, heal, and maintain energy. PTSD is characterized by recurring fears or stresses despite the sufferer no longer being near that event nor in a situation that is life-threatening. Regardless, redecorating your bedroom for a more comfortable and quiet environment can do wonders for your sleep health. This may cause the sufferer to repeat certain behaviors or actions (compulsions) in order to counteract the thoughts or mental images. Try avoiding caffeine at least four to five hours prior to when you want to go to bed. Many people may stress about not getting enough sleep to function, but the stress alone of trying to sleep can cause people to sit awake for hours. That is to say, the more you think about and try to sleep, the less likely you are to actually fall asleep. That is what causes the fear and anxiety that accompanies the realization that you are not sleeping enough. This cycle may leave you feeling as if you may never sleep, making sleep that much more difficult to attain. Anxiety may occur at night when you're trying fall asleep. Not the fear of actually sleeping in case something happens to you while you are asleep (Somniphobia). 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