Insomnia, anxiety and related disorders: a systematic review on clinical and therapeutic perspective with potential mechanisms underlying their complex link
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 15, 2025

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety
Published on: November 11, 2022
Laura Palagini1, Mario Miniati1, Valerio Caruso1
1Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatric Section, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana (AUOP), Pisa, Italy.
Abstract:
Anxiety and anxiety-related disorders are the most common mental disturbances, with dysregulation in emotions and cognition as central features. Since the function of sleep in regulating emotions, cognition stress response and inflammation is quintessential, sleep disturbances may be ideal modifiable factors in anxiety and related disorders. Accordingly, the aim of the review was to systematically review the association between insomnia symptoms and anxiety and related disorders. A systematic search has been conducted, and 93 papers have been selected for insomnia and General Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorders, Social Anxiety Disorder, Separation anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, according to PRISMA. This review represents a comprehensive overview of clinical and therapeutic approaches to insomnia in the framework of anxiety and related disorders with a discussion of potential mechanisms underlying their complex link.
Related Concept Videos
Insomnia
Multiple factors contribute...
Management of Insomnia
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

