A review on anxiety and sleep.

The relationship between sleep and anxiety throughout childhood, adolescence and adulthood is of interest to highlight the prevalence of anxiety as a disorder. Both children and parents report higher sleep disturbances. However, known data show similar total sleep time between anxious and non-anxious children. There is a positive correlation between nightmares and trait anxiety among school-aged children with no significant differences after a week of evaluation. In adolescents, anxiety is associated with longer sleep onset times and increased REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Nonetheless, the connection between sleep and anxiety in adults has been less explored despite high occurrence rates. Moreover, poor sleep quality and disturbances are prevalent in the elderly. Furthermore, a link between trait anxiety and increased wake after sleep onset, particularly in individuals with primary insomnia is known.