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Insomnia and Mental Health: When Sleep Problems Signal a Deeper Issue
- Dr Titilayo Akinsola
- Sep 19
- 3 min read
Everyone has the occasional restless night. But when you struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling unrefreshed night after night, it could be more than just bad sleep habits. Chronic insomnia is often linked to underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
At Favor Mental Health in Bel Air, MD, we help patients who feel trapped in this cycle of poor sleep and worsening mood. If you’ve been battling insomnia for weeks or months, it may be time to look deeper.
How Insomnia Affects Mental Health
Sleep isn’t just rest — it’s how your brain resets. When sleep is consistently disrupted, your mental health suffers:
Increased risk of depression: People with insomnia are up to 10 times more likely to develop major depression.
Higher anxiety levels: Racing thoughts and poor sleep feed into each other.
Poor focus and memory: Lack of sleep impacts decision-making and work performance.
Emotional instability: Irritability, mood swings, and even panic attacks become more common.
👉 Insomnia isn’t just a symptom — it can also cause mental health conditions to worsen.
When Insomnia Signals a Deeper Issue
Many of our patients in Bel Air first come in saying, “I just need something to help me sleep.” But often, insomnia is a sign of an untreated condition such as:
Depression — difficulty falling asleep or waking up too early.
Anxiety disorders — racing thoughts keeping you awake.
Bipolar disorder — sleep disruption during manic or depressive episodes.
Substance use issues — alcohol or drugs that interfere with sleep cycles.
If you’ve tried over-the-counter sleep aids, herbal teas, or even lifestyle changes without relief, the root problem may need medical attention.
How Favor Mental Health Treats Insomnia
Our approach goes beyond simply prescribing a sleeping pill. At your evaluation, we:
Identify whether insomnia is a standalone issue or part of a larger condition.
Review your medical history and current medications.
Consider safe, evidence-based options such as:
Antidepressants that improve both mood and sleep.
Anti-anxiety medications for calming nighttime overthinking.
Sleep-focused medications when appropriate.
Create a personalized medication plan with close follow-up to monitor progress.
By treating the root cause, we help patients restore natural, consistent sleep.
A Patient Example
A 29-year-old woman came to Favor Mental Health after months of waking up at 2–3 a.m. every night. She tried melatonin and herbal remedies without success. During her evaluation, we discovered her insomnia was tied to untreated anxiety. After starting a carefully chosen medication, she reported, “It feels amazing to sleep through the night again — I finally have my energy back.”
Why Choose Favor Mental Health for Insomnia Treatment
17+ years of psychiatric experience.
Medication management expertise for complex cases.
Local, confidential care right here in Bel Air, MD.
Compassionate approach that considers your whole story, not just your symptoms.
Take Back Your Nights — and Your Days
If insomnia is stealing your rest and affecting your mental health, it may be time for more than a quick fix. With the right treatment, you can restore healthy sleep and improve your overall wellbeing.
Visit our website today to schedule your confidential evaluation and get the restful nights you’ve been missing.
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