Q Does insomnia get worse if left untreated?
A Yes—left untreated, the risk of accompanying depression and anxiety disorders rises 2–3 fold, and it can also lead to declines in cardiovascular and immune function.
Detailed Answer
If chronic insomnia is left untreated, sustained overactivity of the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) keeps cortisol chronically elevated. This is linked to weakened immunity, elevated blood pressure, and increased diabetes risk. In addition, depression and anxiety disorders form a bidirectional relationship with insomnia in which they mutually worsen, making treatment more difficult.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, we recommend early consultation if insomnia persists for more than two weeks. When Heart Fire (simhwa) persists for a long time, it consumes Kidney yin (sineum), which in turn aggravates the Heart's Fire, becoming entrenched as a state of Heart-Kidney Disharmony (simsin-bulgyo). The earlier treatment begins, the simpler the pattern and the shorter the treatment period.
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