A phenomenological inquiry into the costs and consequences of insomnia for veterans with serious mental illness

Many individuals with serious mental illness (i.e. schizophrenia spectrum, bipolar or major depressive disorders, with serious functional impairments) have insomnia symptoms. Insomnia is a common reason for mental health referrals in the Veterans Health Administration. The primary aim of this study was to explore the costs (what participants lose or what trade-offs they make due to insomnia) and consequences (how insomnia impacts functioning) of insomnia for veterans with serious mental illness. Semi-structured interviews of 20 veterans with insomnia and serious mental illness were collected as data using an inductive phenomenological approach. Two main themes were identified: Sleep Affects Mental Health and Functioning; and Compromising to Cope. Results illuminate pathways by which sleep effort destabilizes functional recovery, and illustrate how sleep has multiplicative positive impacts on functioning and mood. Researchers and clinicians alike must explore supporting people with serious mental illness in replacing sleep effort with the recovery of meaningful identity-driven, values-based experiences formerly conceded due to serious mental illness, insomnia or both.