Generalized Anxiety and Sleep Architecture: A Polysomnographic Investigation

Abstract

The sleep of 15 adult subjects who reported heightened generalized anxiety in the absence of other psychiatric syndromes and a 15-adult contrast group were studied by means of nocturnal polysomnography. Analysis of polysomnography variables revealed a significant discriminant function that accounted for 79% of the variance between groups, indicating that high-anxiety/worry subjects took longer to fall asleep, had a smaller percentage of deep (slow-wave) sleep, and more frequent transitions into light sleep [stage 1 nonrapid eye movement (NREM)]. Additional analyses indicated that high-anxiety/worry subjects had a greater percentage of light sleep, more early microarousals, a lower rapid eye movement (REM) density relative to low-anxiety subjects. These subjects also showed more electrodermal storming when slow-wave sleep and REM sleep variables were covaried. Results indicated disrupted sleep depth and continuity similar to that documented in clinical anxiety disorder patients and distinct from that of depressed patients. These results indicate that generalized anxiety and worry in otherwise healthy individuals may act to produce a clinically significant sleep disturbance in the absence of other psychiatric symptoms.

Lasting Syndrome of Depression Produced by Reduction in Serotonin Uptake during Postnatal Development: Evidence from Sleep, Stress, and Behavior

“…No significant quantitative changes in NREMS were found after these treatments, except for a discreet fragmentation in KO mice, which might possibly relate to their anxietylike profile (Fuller et al, 1997).…”

Ambulatory sleep-wake patterns and variability in young people with emerging mental disorders

“…[15][16][17] In the primary anxiety and bipolar groups, this was accompanied by a delayed activity peak in the afternoon. The primary anxiety group also presented a lower b suggestive of a slower fall and rise of activity levels in the evening and morning.…”

“…Studies focusing on individuals with anxiety have highlighted sleep initiation and maintenance (i.e., fragmented or poorly consolidated sleep) difficulties. [15][16][17] Similarly, in both community-based and clin ical samples, depression has been associated with prolonged sleep onset latency, poorer sleep consolidation, extended or delayed sleep duration and phase shifts of the sleep-wake cycle. 14,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Compared with age-matched controls, young people with bipolar disorder have longer sleep onset latency and increased nighttime awakenings, and they report worse sleep quality and spending extended time asleep.…”

The relationship between anxiety and sleep–wake behavior after stressor exposure in the rat

“…Objective clinical studies of sleep disturbances and anxiety have focused primarily on long-term effects of anxiety (Lavie, 2001). Such trials have noted an increase in sleep latency, smaller percentage of deep sleep and decreased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep density (Fuller et al, 1997). The immediate effects on sleep architecture occurring in anxious individuals are considerably more elusive.…”