Who is most likely to suffer from insomnia and what are the risk factors?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Insomnia most commonly affects older adults, women, and people experiencing stress or mental health conditions. Key risk factors include advancing age, female gender, chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and underlying medical or health problems that disrupt normal sleep patterns.

If you're struggling with sleep or suspect insomnia may be affecting your health, understanding the root cause is the critical first step toward relief. Rather than guessing, take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights based on your unique situation. It only takes a few minutes, requires no sign-up, and can help you confidently navigate your next steps—whether that's lifestyle adjustments or knowing when to consult a doctor.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if insomnia means something serious Discover likely causes of insomnia See whether your insomnia needs care Find OTC options for insomnia relief Find an insomnia specialist near you Understand home remedies for insomnia Check if insomnia needs medical attention

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Explanation

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects many people. It is more likely to occur in certain groups of people. Older adults are more prone to insomnia due to changes in sleep patterns and health issues. Women are also at higher risk, possibly due to hormonal changes.

Risk factors for insomnia include:

Age: As people get older, they often experience changes in sleep patterns and health, which can lead to insomnia.
Gender: Women are more likely to experience insomnia, possibly due to hormonal changes.
Stress and Mental Health: High levels of stress and mental health issues like anxiety or depression can increase the risk of insomnia.
Health Problems: Chronic illnesses and certain medications can also contribute to sleep difficulties.

If you're experiencing ongoing sleep difficulties or other concerning symptoms, take Ubie's free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes and next steps for your health.

(References)

Morin CM, & Jardin DC. (2022). Epidemiology of Insomnia: Prevalence, Course, Risk .... Sleep medicine clinics, 35659072.
Doghramji K. (2006). The epidemiology and diagnosis of insomnia. The American journal of managed care, 16686591.
Bhaskar S, Hemavathy D, & Prasad S. (2016). Prevalence of chronic insomnia in adult patients and its .... Journal of family medicine and primary care, 28348990.

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