

People with schizophrenia who are overweight or obese, or who have insomnia, could be at an even higher risk. This 2021 study suggested that people with schizophrenia might be at a higher risk for NES. Researchers haven’t fully studied the link between schizophrenia and NES. As a result, they aren’t hungry during the day. People with this condition wake up feeling very hungry and eat in the middle of the night. Night-eating syndrome (NES) is a condition that causes you to be excessively hungry during the night. More research is needed to determine what this link could mean. Some research shows an overlap between some of the symptoms of narcolepsy and schizophrenia, such as hallucinations. People with narcolepsy often have difficulty completing their daily routines because intense urges to sleep can occur during ordinary tasks.Ī 2016 study found evidence that suggested a link between schizophrenia and narcolepsy, but this has not been well studied. Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that causes you to feel very tired during the day. They may even be an early sign that a person is developing schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia are especially likely to have circadian rhythm disorders.

not being able to maintain a daily sleep and wake routineĪccording to the 2017 study mentioned earlier, it’s common for people with various mental health conditions to experience circadian rhythm disorders.not being able to sleep for more than a short time.Circadian rhythm disordersĪ circadian rhythm disorder is a condition that makes it difficult for you to sleep on a schedule. This connection is likely why RLS is common among people with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia and RLS are both linked to high levels of dopamine. People with schizophrenia generally have PLMD along with RLS. It often occurs alongside RLS or other sleep disturbances, but it can also happen on its own. Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is a cramping or jerking of your legs while you sleep. It is typically worse in the evenings and can disrupt your sleep. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs. Restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder One 2017 study suggests that this might be due to weight gain caused by schizophrenia medications, as obesity is a risk factor for OSA. It causes symptoms such as:Ī 2016 review of studies indicated that about 15 percent of people with schizophrenia experience OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that occurs when your airways become blocked while you sleep. Since both insomnia and schizophrenia are linked to high dopamine levels, it can be difficult for people with schizophrenia to manage insomnia and get restful sleep. High dopamine activity is linked to several mental health conditions. Dopamine needs to be at the right level for all of these functions to work correctly.īoth high and low levels of dopamine can impact how your body works.

It can affect your mood, memory, coordination, and other important functions. For people with schizophrenia, insomnia is often the result of overactive dopamine receptors in the brain.ĭopamine is a brain chemical that your body uses to send signals between your nerve cells. Sometimes, external factors such as stress, caffeine, or sleeping environment cause insomnia. Most people experience occasional sleepless nights, but people with insomnia cannot sleep at least 3 nights per week. Insomnia is when you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

Not everyone with schizophrenia will experience all of these conditions, but most experience at least one. There are several sleep disturbances that people with schizophrenia are likely to experience. Over time, a lack of sleep can lead to complications such as:Ĭommon sleep disturbances in people with schizophrenia It can cause a relapse and might cause the need for a new course of treatment.Īdditionally, sleep disturbances can impact your physical health. This can weaken the effect of medication and treatment plans that were helping you manage your condition. anger, sadness, or other emotions that don’t fit the situation.Some of the symptoms which might increase are: Lack of sleep can cause the symptoms of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, to increase and become harder to manage - even if you are taking medication. These conditions can make it difficult to get the sleep your body and brain need for healthy function. One 2017 study estimated that between 30 and 80 percent of people with schizophrenia have disturbed sleep. People with schizophrenia are also at an increased risk of other sleep disturbances.
