All the sheep have been counted and are still wide awake: sleep disorders can be stressful. The number of those affected has increased enormously.
The number of people in Germany suffering from sleep disorders has increased significantly in recent years. Around 7.3 percent of those insured by Barmer received a corresponding diagnosis last year, as the health insurance company announced. In 2013 it was around 5.5 percent.
Extrapolated to the total population, the number of diagnoses has increased by around a third, from around 4.5 million to around 6.2 million affected people, it said. 8.5 million people are insured with Barmer (as of October 1, 2024).
“Sleep disorders are obviously becoming more and more of a common problem,” said Ursula Marschall, a doctor at Barmer. Sleep problems can have various causes, including:
In addition to those mentioned, there are a number of other possible reasons for permanent insomnia. You can find out more about this here. “The consequences can be serious and range from a lack of concentration to irritability to a weakened immune system,” says the doctor.
According to the analysis, the increase affects all age groups from the age of 20. 20 to 29 year olds are increasingly suffering from sleep disorders.
Extrapolated to the total population, according to the Barmer data, around 283,670 people were affected in 2023 – compared to 201,150 in 2013. With around 1.4 million people affected, people between the ages of 60 and 69 were most often diagnosed with a sleep disorder last year.
There are a number of tips that are worth following to counteract a sleep disorder. For example, it may be advisable to introduce a regular evening routine, which also means going to bed at a fixed time. Some people also find it helpful to take a relaxing bath or do meditation exercises beforehand.
Exercise and avoiding caffeine starting in the afternoon are also important factors for restful sleep. The general rule is: Find out how much sleep you need to be fit during the day. Most people need around 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.