Sleep difficulties

Trouble sleeping is common alongside anxiety and depression — and can also drive them.

What it is

Sleep and mental health affect each other in both directions. Anxiety and depression often disrupt sleep, and poor sleep, in turn, makes both harder to manage — it's a loop, not a one-way street.

Common signs

Trouble falling asleep, even when tired
Waking frequently or far earlier than needed
Lying awake with racing or repetitive thoughts
Feeling unrested even after a full night
Relying on screens, alcohol, or substances to fall asleep

Good to know

Occasional bad nights are normal and not something to worry about. It's a sustained pattern — weeks rather than days — that's worth addressing directly rather than waiting out.

What helps

Consistent sleep and wake times, daylight exposure earlier in the day, and limiting screens and caffeine in the evening all help the body's natural rhythm reset. If poor sleep persists despite these changes, it's worth raising with a doctor — it may be a symptom of something else more directly treatable.

When to seek help

If sleep problems have lasted more than a few weeks, or are happening alongside low mood or anxiety, treat it as part of the same conversation with a health care provider, not a separate issue.

Before you call

What to expect at your first counselling sessionNervous about a first session? It's mostly just talking, at your pace. Here's what usually happens — and what won't.

Services that can help

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