Does Anxiety Cause Insomnia, or Does Insomnia Cause Anxiety?

Specialist CBT therapy for anxiety, OCD, depression and more in West London

Both. The relationship is bidirectional. Anxiety raises arousal and blocks sleep, and poor sleep measurably impairs emotional regulation, which increases anxiety the next day. Insomnia is now recognised as a contributor to anxiety, not just a symptom of it. The loop does not need the original cause any more. Treating the anxiety frequently resolves the sleep without sleep ever being the target. Written by Sanah Younis, BABCP-accredited CBT therapist at The Lyceum. Free 15-minute consultation at lyceumclinic.co.uk/start.