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Interaction of Sleep Disturbances and Anxiety in Later Life: Perspectives and Recommendations for Future Research

Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Toronto, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and Toronto General Research Institute, Adam.Spira{at}med.va.gov

Leah Friedman, PhD

Stanford University School of Medicine, Toronto, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and Toronto General Research Institute

Alistair Flint, MD

University of Toronto and University Health Network, Toronto, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and Toronto General Research Institute

Javaid I. Sheikh, MD

Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Stanford University School of Medicine, Toronto, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, and Toronto General Research Institute

Both sleep disturbances and anxiety are quite common in older adults. Although increasing research efforts have investigated sleep disturbances and anxiety in older adults, little has been written concerning the relation between sleep disturbances and anxiety in this population. This article reviews the epidemiological and clinical literature concerning the overall prevalence of sleep disturbances and relations between sleep and anxiety in later life. The article begins with a discussion of the prevalence of sleep and anxiety problems in older individuals, continues with a clinical review of the complex interrelationship between sleep and anxiety in older adults, and briefly considers possible neurobiological underpinnings of this interrelationship. This is followed by a brief discussion of the impact of medical illness on both anxiety and sleep disturbances. The article ends with a summary of findings from this review and provides recommendations for future research.

Key Words: sleep • insomnia • anxiety • older adults • elderly

Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, Vol. 18, No. 2, 109-115 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0891988705276062


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