What differentiates anxiety from depression in relation to sleep?

In the context of distinguishing anxiety from depression, the assertion that depression causes problems falling asleep is accurate. Individuals experiencing depression often struggle with initiating sleep, leading to difficulties in both falling asleep and maintaining sleep throughout the night. This can be attributed to the pervasive negative thoughts and feelings associated with depression, which can create a heightened level of distress at bedtime, thereby hindering the ability to relax and fall asleep.

While anxiety can also impact sleep, it often manifests differently. Anxiety may lead to restlessness and difficulty staying asleep rather than just problems with falling asleep. Understanding these nuances is crucial for effectively addressing and treating the specific sleep disturbances related to each mental health condition.