Beware: Insomnia May Affect Brain and Mental Health

JAKARTA — Insomnia, or sleep disorders, has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, dementia and a number of mental health problems. A recent study found that people with insomnia had a 26 per cent higher risk of stroke than those without the condition.

The research, conducted by scientists from Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, analysed around 20 comprehensive review studies involving millions of participants from various countries. Published in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews, it found that people with insomnia were more likely to experience depression and attempt suicide than those without sleep disorders.

People with insomnia were also almost 30 per cent more likely to be admitted to hospital for various reasons. “Insomnia needs to be taken seriously as a warning sign of brain and mental health conditions,” said the study’s lead author, Luca Vignatelli, a senior researcher at Italy’s IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, as quoted by ABC News on Saturday (24 October 2026).

Sleep medicine specialist Thanuja Hamilton said anxiety and depression can make it difficult for people to fall asleep or stay asleep. Both conditions can also reduce sleep quality. Conversely, insufficient sleep can increase the risk of anxiety and depression.

Hamilton explained that a lack of sleep can make people more irritable and anxious, and less able to cope with stress. This can leave them more vulnerable to anxiety and depression, which may in turn further worsen sleep problems.

The study also found an association between insomnia and dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. According to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), sleep plays an important role in helping the brain clear waste products associated with impaired brain function and Alzheimer’s disease.