INTEGRATIVE REVIEW: THE IMPACTS OF CHRONIC INSOMNIA AND MOOD DISORDERS

Abstract

Introduction: Introduction: Chronic insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep, resulting in significant impairments to mental health and quality of life. Among the most recurrent effects are mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which often coexist with insomnia, creating a bidirectional relationship between sleep deprivation and emotional dysregulation. This scenario reinforces the need to understand the mechanisms involved in this interaction and possible therapeutic approaches. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of chronic insomnia on the development and worsening of mood disorders, analyzing the available scientific literature to identify underlying mechanisms and therapeutic strategies that could mitigate these effects. Methodology: An integrative literature review was conducted, searching for articles in the PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases, published between 2015 and 2024. The descriptors used included “chronic insomnia,” “mood disorders,” “depression,” and “anxiety.” Studies that addressed the correlation between chronic insomnia and mood disorders were selected, prioritizing research with robust methodologies and consistent results. Results: The analyzed studies demonstrated that chronic insomnia is associated with significant alterations in the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, resulting in increased cortisol levels and dysfunction in emotional regulation. Furthermore, prolonged sleep deprivation impairs neuroplasticity and the function of neurotransmitters responsible for mood balance, such as serotonin and dopamine. It was also observed that individuals with chronic insomnia are at greater risk of developing depressive and anxious disorders, with worsening clinical conditions in the absence of appropriate treatment.  Conclusion: The review evidenced that chronic insomnia has a significant impact on mood disorders, contributing to their genesis and aggravation. These findings highlight the importance of integrated therapeutic approaches that consider both sleep quality and the patient’s mental health, emphasizing the need for early and personalized interventions.