15 Surprising Statistics About Insomnia –

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people in the world. People with insomnia find it difficult to fall asleep or even to stay asleep.

Insomnia can keep you from performing your best at work or in school. It leads to daytime sleepiness, inability to concentrate, lethargy, irritability, and anxiety.

Here are 15 surprising statistics about insomnia.

How many people are affected by insomnia?

At least 40 million Americans experience insomnia annually. Around 1 in 3 people have mild insomnia.

How long do the symptoms of insomnia last?

The symptoms of insomnia last depending on the type of insomnia that you have. Transient insomnia lasts up to three nights; acute insomnia or short-term insomnia lasts for several weeks, and chronic insomnia lasts for several months.

How many people are suffering from chronic insomnia?

About 10% of people have experienced chronic insomnia.

What age is considered the most crucial for people to have insomnia?

68% of adults aged 18 to 29 and 59% of 30 to 64-year-olds experience symptoms of insomnia while 40% of people over 65 years old suffer from this sleep disorder.

Is insomnia more prevalent in women than men?

Yes, insomnia is more prevalent in women than men. The National Sleep Foundation’s 2002 Sleep in America Poll showed that 63% of women versus 54% of men experienced symptoms of insomnia at least a few nights a week.

Is insomnia hereditary?

Yes, it is hereditary. Approximately 35% of people with insomnia have a family history of insomnia.

Are children suffering from insomnia as well?

Yes, children are also suffering from insomnia. Approximately 30% of children experienced problems falling and staying asleep at some point in their lives.

Is depression a risk factor for insomnia?

Yes, depression is a risk factor for this sleep disorder. 80% of those who were diagnosed with depression also suffer difficulty sleeping.

Is stress another risk factor for insomnia?

Yes, stress is another risk factor for insomnia. 23% of people experiencing stress reported insomnia.

How many people use prescription sleep aids to help get quality rest?

Approximately 9 million people in the United States are buying and using prescription sleep aids.

Do employers lose money because of insomnia?

Yes, employers and companies are losing money because of insomnia. For the entire US workforce, there is a loss of an estimated $63 billion due to insomnia every year. In addition, employers spend at least $3,200 or more on health care costs for employees suffering from sleep problems compared with those who are sleeping well.

Is insomnia affecting the US government financially?

Yes, according to the US Surgeon General, insomnia is costing the government more than $15 billion a year in health care costs.

Does insomnia affect marriage?

Yes, insomnia affects marriage. A study from the University of Pittsburg showed that women who are unhappily married were 50% more likely to deal with insomnia than those who are happily married.

Can insomnia contribute to your weight gain?

Yes, insomnia can contribute to your weight gain. People who slept less than 3 hours a night for a prolonged time have 5% increase in their weight.

Is chronic insomnia deadly?

Yes, chronic insomnia is deadly. It significantly increases the risks of non-communicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, and cancer. In 2008, there were 57 million deaths, with 58% attributed to these non-communicable diseases.

Do you have other statistics about insomnia that you can share? Write them in the comment box below.