The Correlation between Obsessive-compulsive Disorder, Schizophrenia and Sleep Disorder

Abstract

Under the influence of the quick development of today's society, mental and psychological disorders, becoming a serious global public health problem. Approximately one billion people worldwide suffer from mental disorders. Obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia are two common types, often accompanied by sleep disorders. The two are mutually causal, but there are relatively few related studies. This article, by reviewing relevant literature from the past 3 to 5 years, sorts out the correlations among obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia and sleep disorders. Among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, 40% to 70% are accompanied by sleep disorders. Common types include delayed sleep phase syndrome (with an incidence rate of 17% to 42%), abnormal sleep structure (increased N1 stage, decreased N3 stage, and reduced efficiency), and REM sleep disorders (shortened latency and increased density) Anxiety sensitivity, excessive activation of the prefrontal cortex - cingulate gyrus - amygdala network, and circadian rhythm disorder are the mechanisms by which the two influence each other. In addition, over 80% of schizophrenia patients have significant sleep abnormalities throughout the entire process. The sleep characteristics of patients vary at different stages such as the prodromal stage, acute stage, and chronic stage. This includes multiple influencing mechanisms such as neurotransmitter disorders (excessive activation of dopamine, insufficient function of serotonin and GABA), abnormal brain region functions (defects in the prefrontal cortex, disorders in the thalamic-cortical pathway), circadian rhythm gene abnormalities, as well as secondary interference from antipsychotic drugs and poor treatment compliance.