Tag: cause

Can Perfectionism Cause Insomnia?

A tense woman carefully arranging colorful paper clips in perfect rows to represent perfectionism, rumination, and insomnia

Can Perfectionism Cause Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes. Perfectionism can cause insomnia when the mind stays active at night reviewing mistakes, judging performance, comparing life progress, and trying to prevent future failure. The person may be exhausted, but the nervous system remains on alert. Many perfectionistic people do not think of themselves […]

Can Anxiety Cause Chronic Insomnia?

Mountain sunrise above a sea of clouds representing anxiety-related chronic insomnia, emotional recovery, and the return of restorative sleep

Can Anxiety Cause Chronic Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, anxiety can absolutely cause chronic insomnia. It can also maintain it long after the original stressor has passed. In my clinical work, I often see that people are not just struggling with sleep. They are struggling with a nervous system that has learned […]

Can PTSD Cause Insomnia?

A service member in a therapy session discussing PTSD-related insomnia, hypervigilance, nightmares, and sleep recovery

Can PTSD Cause Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, PTSD can cause insomnia. Post-traumatic stress disorder can keep the nervous system on alert long after the danger has passed. A person may be physically safe in bed, but the brain and body may still be scanning for threat. That can make it hard […]