20 Surprising Insomnia Statistics

20 Surprising Insomnia Statistics

Having a good night’s sleep is the most refreshing thing there is. It not only serves as a reset button for our mind but also boost our mental and physical health. Getting adequate sleep is crucial for a person to stay healthy, and it also positively affects memory and learning capabilities.

Despite the importance of sound sleep, many people are not sleeping well at night. Insomnia is one of the most prevalent conditions hampering the sleeping patterns. Millions of people have some degree of this sleeping disorder and are unable to get the sleep they require.

If you are also the person who lay awake at nights looking at the ceiling, these statistics might fascinate you and make you realize that you are not alone.

1. Almost 40 million Americans have chronic insomnia

It is quickly becoming the nation’s major health problem. People from all backgrounds experience this sleeping disorder. No matter if you are a restaurant worker or a big name celebrity, you can get this condition. The number of affected people is not only high but is also rising.

2. Between 30% and 35% of adults in the country have experienced some symptoms of insomnia

A third of the country’s population has had some problems falling asleep or staying asleep during the night.

3. By experts’ estimate, there will be more than 130 million acute insomnia cases by the year 2023

The researchers at GlobalData estimated based on the available data and current trends in the seven countries: US, Germany, Spain, Italy, UK, France, and Japan, that the global number of insomnia patients will rise above 130 million in the coming years.

4. People with children are more likely to suffer from insomnia than those without

According to the data, around 66% of parents experience some insomnia symptoms, compared to 54% of people without children. Sleeping pattern changes brought on by parenthood are a significant contributor to this statistic. Usually, parents have to stay late at night and early in the morning, which disrupt their sleeping behavior and cause them to develop insomnia symptoms.

5. Nearly 78% of women experience insomnia during pregnancy.

The imbalance of hormones during pregnancy can result in difficulty in sleeping. Another reason might be the difficulty of balancing work and family responsibilities during such times, which might cause stress. Other conditions often accompany pregnancy, such as anxiety, heartburn, and other mental issues, which can also contribute to the development of insomnia symptoms. 

6. 1 in 4 Americans develops insomnia each year

While this number might look enormous, only about 25% of these people will ever develop chronic insomnia. For a vast majority of them, the symptoms will subside within a few weeks.

7. About one-third of the population have some symptoms of insomnia

Approximately 30 percent of the people report having experienced some degree of insomnia. This number shows that insomnia is a widespread problem with severe consequences. It is essential to seek treatment for this problem. 

8. Women have twice the risk of developing insomnia

Women experience hormonal imbalances more often than men, and they are also more likely to get mood disorders. These factors can drastically change their sleeping pattern and cause stress, which lead to the development of insomnia.

9. 44% of older people experience symptoms of insomnia at least a few times a week

Older people are more prone to getting insomnia symptoms than any other age group. While the changes in sleep patterns are a part of aging, insomnia can also result from a medical condition.

10. Almost 75% of people with depression also have symptoms of insomnia

Researchers found a connection between depression and sleeping disorders. While people with depression can develop insomnia, but this can also go the other way around, where people suffering from insomnia symptoms might end up depressed.

11. 23% of the adults with anxiety issues also report trouble sleeping

Anxiety and stress make it hard for the brain to relax. Due to hyperactivity in the brain, a person might find it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep for longer. The lack of sleep in anxiety patients can result in insomnia. 

12. Binge drinking can increase the risk of insomnia in older people

A study examining the relationship between insomnia and binge drinking symptoms concluded that people aged 55 and older are 84% more likely to develop insomnia symptoms if they drink more than two days a week.

13. Insomnia increases the risk of development of Type 2 diabetes by up to 28%

The effects of lack of sleep on a person’s health can lead to various severe diseases, and type 2 diabetes is only one of them. Statistics from across the world points in the same direction when it comes to finding a link between different medical conditions and insomnia. It is crucial to address insomnia in early-stage and find the right treatment.

14. Insomnia increases the risk of developing a panic disorder by 20 times

Getting adequate sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy mental state. Studies indicate that people experiencing insomnia symptoms can be more susceptible to anxiety; they are more prone to panic disorder and other types of anxiety disorders.

15. Insomnia is responsible or 2.5 times more car crashes due to tiredness

People with insomnia are unable to sleep properly, and even if they get enough sleep, they still might feel tired or nauseous when in the morning, when people in this state drive, the chances of crash increased significantly. Therefore, treating insomnia at the right time can prevent several car accidents and save many lives.

16. 4% of the American adults use some prescription sleeping aid every month

The sleeping disorder is so widespread that about 4% of the population relies on some sleeping aid. There is a direct relationship between the age of a person and their reliance on sleeping pills. People with higher education are also more likely to use these prescription sleeping aid than less educated people. There is also a gender-wise disparity in the use of sleeping pills, as women take more prescription sleeping aid than men.

17. Sleeping pills significantly increase the risk of early death

According to the studies, people who consume at least 18 sleeping pills in a year have three times the risk of dying early than those who don’t take sleeping pills. Researchers looked at the data from around the world to conclude that consuming a higher dosage of hypnotic drugs for sleeping problems increase the risk of early death.

18. Insomnia symptoms account for a direct cost of over $13 billion a year

When we consider how many people suffer from this condition and how costly the treatment can get, we can get to wrap our head around the $13 billion annual costs of insomnia that include prescription medications, physician visits, and other medical procedures.

19. Insomnia patients are four times more likely to experience hallucinations

When you don’t get proper sleep, the mind starts to play tricks. It becomes hard for the brain to process things around you, and it will experience the things that are not present there. Hallucinations are among the more severe symptoms of insomnia, which people don’t experience more often and occur only in rare cases.

20. Insomnia can result in indirect damages of about $77 to $92 billion annually

Direct medical expenses are not the only cost incurred by insomnia. The cost of a sleeping disorder can be a result of factors such as motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, work absences, reduced productivity, etc.

Conclusion

A lack of sleep can have various adverse effects on our quality of life. The mental and physical wellbeing of a person depends on the quality of sleep they are getting. While sleeping disorders are widespread, they are not untreatable. 

There are various treatments a person can go through to take back the control of their sleep and their life. It is essential to identify insomnia in the early stage and get the proper treatment before it can turn that can cause lasting damage. 

The information presented here shows the problem that insomnia poses and its potential causes. With this information, it is clear that we need to understand our sleeping issues better and get them treated in time to prevent them from growing any further.