What causes anxiety and inability to sleep?
Nov 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Baohua
Introduction
In general, difficulty sleeping due to mental restlessness may be caused by stress reactions, irregular sleep schedules, neurasthenia, anxiety disorder, hyperthyroidism, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, avoid electronic devices such as smartphones and computers for at least one hour before bedtime.
Generally, feeling anxious and unable to sleep may be caused by stress response, irregular作息, neurasthenia, anxiety disorder, hyperthyroidism, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Stress response: Sudden life events can trigger psychological stress, causing continuous brain excitation and difficulty falling asleep. Avoid repeatedly thinking about the event before bedtime. Listening to white noise or soaking feet in warm water may help relax the body and mind and stabilize emotions.
2. Irregular作息: Long-term熬夜 or inconsistent作息 disrupts the biological clock and affects sleep rhythms. Maintain fixed bedtimes and wake-up times every day, avoiding随意 changes even on weekends, to gradually reestablish a regular routine.
3. Neurasthenia: Prolonged mental tension leads to nervous system overexcitability and fatigue, manifesting as irritability and insomnia. Patients may take medications such as oryzanol tablets, vitamin B1 tablets, or diazepam tablets as prescribed, along with regular physical exercise.
4. Anxiety disorder: Characterized by persistent anxiety, accompanied by restlessness and difficulty falling asleep. Treatment may include prescribed medications such as paroxetine hydrochloride tablets, sertraline tablets, or lorazepam tablets, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy.
5. Hyperthyroidism: Excessive thyroid hormones lead to increased metabolism and sympathetic nervous system excitation, resulting in feelings of anxiety and insomnia. Medications such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, or propranolol tablets may be used as directed. If medication is ineffective, thyroid microwave ablation may be performed to reduce hormone secretion by ablating thyroid tissue.
In daily life, avoid electronic devices such as phones and computers one hour before bedtime. Keep the bedroom quiet and dark, avoid consuming stimulants like coffee and strong tea, and consider eating sleep-promoting foods such as millet porridge or sour jujube seeds in moderation.
