Why The Conversation Lifted the (Eye) Mask on Insomnia

Insomnia is an ancient preoccupation and modern obsession. Its effect on our mental health and wellbeing can be dramatic, as much as explained by experts.

The Cost of Insomnia

In Australia, the financial cost of poor sleep is an estimated A$26 billion a year, mainly through lost productivity or accidents, according to a report by the Sleep Health Foundation and Australasian Sleep Association .

The pursuit of sleep is also a multibillion-dollar global business which is still getting bigger, with sleep apps, sleep therapy, sleep influencers, sleeping pills, medicinal cannabis, and on it goes.

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Uncovering the Truth About Insomnia

The Conversation has commissioned a six-part series to explore insomnia, delving into the history of the condition, how it affects our mental health and wellbeing, and what it’s costing us.

A Short History of Insomnia

The series begins with a short history of insomnia, charting its rise as nations industrialised. We explore how artificial lighting, clocks, more ambient noise, changes in diet and housing all contributed to our sleep habits shifting.

Sleeping pills followed, as did our obsession with caffeine. Now we go to bed with handheld devices – with their bright lights and constant dopamine hits that stimulate us and stop us sleeping.

Insomnia in the Movies

Next, we look at how fictional portrayals of insomnia in the movies can be misleading, with psychological thrillers being among the biggest offenders. Insomnia is rarely depicted as a treatable illness, and this perpetuates stereotypes about insomnia and who’s at risk, making it harder for people to seek care.

How Dangerous is Insomnia?

Insomnia has been linked to developing conditions such as dementia, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. But how bad is insomnia on your body, really? The evidence is less robust than we might think, yet scary headlines continue to make people worry, which can worsen sleep.

The Link to Mental Disorders

The evidence for insomnia’s link with mental disorders is much stronger. As we explore in the next article in the series, the relationship between insomnia and mental disorders is complex and interrelated in ways we don’t fully understand. Treating one often treats the other.

Treatments for Insomnia

We look at the treatments for insomnia – what works, what doesn’t, and what we might expect. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) is the most effective treatment, with 70-80% of people with insomnia sleeping better after CBT-i, with improvements lasting at least a year. If that doesn’t work, there are sleeping pills, and newer drug therapies on the horizon.

The Role of Sleep Apps

Insomnia is not just a personal issue that affects an individual’s health and wellbeing. It’s a public health issue, affecting public safety. It’s a socioeconomic issue, as poorer sleep is linked to a lower education and income. And, increasingly, it’s a commercial issue, with the global insomnia market expected to reach US$6.3 billion by 2030, driven by increased diagnoses and therapy, as well as sleep aids, including sleep apps.

Not all sleep apps are accurate or useful. And fixating on the sleep data these apps generate won’t necessarily help you sleep. Then there are social media “sleep influencers” who share their take on sleep and how to get more of it. Can any of this help us?

If You Can’t Sleep

We hope the series helps pull back the (eye) mask on insomnia – what it is, what it is not, and how to access treatment. But the series is also a reminder that not everyone can buy the latest technologies or change their environment or lifestyle to help them sleep.

A good night’s sleep shouldn’t be the preserve of the privileged, as our expert concludes.