Sleep Disturbances as a Transdiagnostic Therapeutic Target in Psychiatry: Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Treatment Strategies

The review combines existing research to demonstrate that sleep functions as a common treatment approach which works across different psychiatric conditions. The study investigates common disease mechanisms which affect REM sleep stability and emotional control and brain inflammation and intestinal bacteria relationships and assesses treatment results from psychological approaches and medication and daily habits. Methods: A PubMed/MEDLINE search (2015–2025) identified systematic reviews and RCTs regarding the bidirectional relationship between sleep and disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, and neu rocog nitive disorders. Results: Evidence links sleep fragmentation and REM instability to emotional dysregulation via neuroinflammatory and HPA-axis pathways. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) stands as the leading treatment approach which works effectively for all insomnia cases that occur with other medical conditions. The current pharmacological approach uses dual orexin receptor antagonists such as daridorexant instead of traditional hypnotics for treatment. Research shows that chronotherapy with magnesium and ashwagandha supplements and particular lifestyle modifications enables people to gain improved management of their sleep-wake cycles. Conclusions: The strategy of targeting sleep functions as an effective method which works across different psychiatric conditions to enhance treatment results. Treatment of depression requires an integrated clinical method which uses Measurement-Based Care (MBC) to combine individualized psychotherapeutic and pharmacological and lifestyle interventions for successful treatment and future episode prevention.