Sleep Profiles of Different Psychiatric Traits (2024 Study)

Major Findings: Sleep Profiles of Specific Psychiatric Traits & Conditions (2024)

1. Worst Sleep Profiles

Mood Disorders: Traits related to depression and emotional instability showed severe sleep issues. Insomnia, fatigue, non-restorative sleep, and poor sleep quality were particularly prominent.

Generalized Anxiety: Similar to affect disorders, individuals with generalized anxiety experienced significant insomnia and fatigue. Poor sleep quality and a strong perception of insufficient sleep were common.

ADHD: This trait was also linked to severe sleep disturbances, with notable issues in insomnia, fatigue, and poor sleep quality.

2. Milder Sleep Issues

Autism: Individuals with autism traits had milder sleep disturbances. The most common issues were related to evening chronotype and occasional insomnia.

Eating Disorders: Sleep problems were generally less severe, with some occurrences of insomnia and fatigue.

Impulsivity: Sleep disturbances were milder compared to other traits, with occasional fatigue and insomnia being the most reported issues.

3. Mania & Better Sleep

Traits associated with mania showed a surprisingly better overall sleep profile.

Individuals with mania traits experienced less insomnia and fatigue, and were more likely to have a morning chronotype, indicating a preference for earlier sleep and wake times.

4. Common Sleep Problems Across Traits

Insomnia & Fatigue: These were the most prevalent sleep issues across various psychiatric traits, indicating a widespread problem regardless of specific psychiatric symptoms.

Non-Restorative Sleep: This issue was notably present in individuals with traits of delusional ideation and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

5. Insufficient Sleep Perception

Many traits, except for mania, were associated with a strong perception of insufficient sleep.

This was particularly true for traits related to depression, anxiety, and ADHD.

6. Sleep Variability & Social Jetlag

Sleep Variability: Variability in sleep patterns was less prominent across traits, indicating that while sleep quality and duration were affected, the regularity of sleep patterns remained relatively stable.

Social Jetlag: The misalignment between an individual’s internal clock and their social/work schedules showed modest relationships with psychiatric traits, being significant for OCD, delusional ideation, and emotional instability.

Sleep Profiles of Distinct Psychiatric Traits (2024)

The study aimed to identify and characterize the most prominent sleep problems in individuals with various psychiatric traits, but without formal psychiatric diagnoses.

By doing so, it sought to provide insights for early intervention and targeted treatment strategies.

Sample

• Participants: 440 individuals (341 women, 97 men, 2 non-binary).
• Age Range: 18-77 years (Mean age = 32.1 years, SD = 9.4).
• Exclusions: Participants with psychiatric diagnoses or taking psychotropic medication were excluded.

Methods

• Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation of eight sleep features and 13 psychiatric trait questionnaires.
• Sleep Features: Included insomnia, fatigue, sleep quality, non-restorative sleep, sleep duration deviation, social jetlag, evening chronotype, and perceived insufficient sleep.
• Psychiatric Traits: Assessed traits related to depression, generalized anxiety, mania, ADHD, autism, impulsivity, and others.
• Data Collection: Conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic via an online platform (Prolific.co).
• Analysis: Univariate fixed effect regression models were used to assess relationships between sleep features and psychiatric traits, with all variables Z-transformed for comparison.

Limitations

• Self-Report Bias: Reliance on self-reported measures can introduce response bias and may not accurately capture all symptoms.
• Cross-Sectional Design: The study’s design does not allow for conclusions on causality between sleep problems and psychiatric traits.
• Pandemic Impact: Data were collected during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have altered sleep patterns and influenced results.
• Sample Diversity: While diverse, the sample may not fully represent the general population, particularly those with more severe psychiatric conditions.

Possible Underlying Reasons for Sleep Problems in Different Psychiatric Traits

Mood Disorders

• Insomnia & Fatigue: Affect disorders like depression and emotional instability often disrupt the body’s stress response systems. Elevated levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, can interfere with the sleep-wake cycle, leading to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, resulting in chronic fatigue.
• Poor Sleep Quality: Persistent negative thoughts and emotional dysregulation typical in these disorders can contribute to restless sleep and frequent awakenings.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Insomnia: Individuals with GAD frequently experience excessive worry and heightened arousal, making it difficult to relax enough to fall asleep. Their minds often remain active even at night, preventing restorative sleep.
• Fatigue & Poor Sleep Quality: The constant state of hyperarousal can lead to poor sleep quality, as the body and mind do not achieve the deep, restful stages of sleep necessary for feeling refreshed.

ADHD

• Insomnia & Fatigue: ADHD is characterized by hyperactivity and impulsivity, which can carry over into bedtime, making it hard to settle down. The irregular sleep patterns often associated with ADHD can lead to insufficient sleep and daytime fatigue.
• Evening Chronotype: People with ADHD may have a delayed sleep phase, preferring later bedtimes and wake times, which can be misaligned with typical social schedules.

Autism

• Evening Chronotype & Insomnia: Sensory sensitivities and difficulty with transitions, common in autism, can make falling asleep challenging. Many individuals with autism also have an altered melatonin production cycle, contributing to a preference for late bedtimes.
• Milder Sleep Issues: The structured routines often implemented in autism care can sometimes mitigate the severity of sleep problems.

Eating Disorders

• Milder Sleep Problems: While some with eating disorders experience sleep disturbances due to metabolic changes or preoccupation with body image, these issues are often less severe compared to other psychiatric traits.
• Occasional Insomnia & Fatigue: Nutritional deficiencies and the physical stress of disordered eating can sporadically affect sleep quality and energy levels.

Impulsivity

• Occasional Fatigue & Insomnia: High levels of impulsivity can lead to irregular sleep schedules and difficulty adhering to a consistent bedtime routine, resulting in intermittent sleep problems.
• Milder Sleep Disturbances: Unlike chronic anxiety or mood disorders, the sleep issues associated with impulsivity are often less persistent and severe.

Mania

• Better Sleep Profile: Mania is characterized by a decreased need for sleep. During manic episodes, individuals may feel energized and require less sleep, leading to fewer complaints about insomnia and fatigue.
• Morning Chronotype: The heightened activity levels and energy during manic phases can align more closely with earlier sleep and wake times.

Delusional Ideation & OCD

• Non-Restorative Sleep: The obsessive thoughts and compulsions in OCD and the persistent, false beliefs in delusional ideation can disrupt sleep continuity, making sleep feel unrefreshing.
• Moderately Bad Sleep Profile: These conditions often involve high levels of anxiety and mental preoccupation, which can significantly impair sleep quality.

Social Jetlag & Sleep Variability

• Modest Relationships: Social jetlag and sleep variability were less prominent issues across most traits, likely because the primary sleep problems were more related to internal psychological factors than external schedule misalignments.