Healthline: Sleep disturbances and schizophrenia are closely linked. In fact, sleep disturbances are often the first symptom to appear.
Researchers are still trying to fully understand this link. A scientific review from 2020 suggested that the same gene mutations (changes) might cause schizophrenia and circadian rhythm disruptions.
People with schizophrenia are also at an increased risk of other sleep disturbances. One 2017 study estimated that between 30 and 80 percent of people with schizophrenia have disturbed sleep. These conditions can make it difficult to get the sleep your body and brain need for healthy function.
Lack of sleep can cause the symptoms of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, to increase and become harder to manage — even if you are taking medication.
There are several sleep disturbances that people with schizophrenia are likely to experience. Not everyone with schizophrenia will experience all of these conditions, but most experience at least one.
High dopamine activity is linked to several mental health conditions. Since both insomnia and schizophrenia are linked to high dopamine levels, it can be difficult for people with schizophrenia to manage insomnia and get restful sleep.
A 2016 review of studies indicated that about 15 percent of people with schizophrenia experience OSA.
