The purpose of this research is to determine the association of insomnia and mental health among medical students of Melaka Manipal Medical College. The research conducted was an analytical cross-sectional study using SRQ. The data collection comprises of independent variables under the ISQ questionnaires which are insomnia, psychiatric disorder, circadian rhythm, movement disorder, parasomnia and sleep apnea with confounding factors of gender, usage of sleeping aids and duration of sleep/day. It was carried out for duration of 4 weeks starting from 11^th April 2016 till 13^th May 2016 on 4^th year medical undergraduates. A sample size of 265 was used. Microsoft Excel and Epi Info Version 7 have been used to record and analyze data. Out of all the factors, insomnia, circadian rhythm and parasomnia has the strongest association to mental health. The research on insomnia in medical students is of particular interest as it is known that sleep disturbances has the capability to affect the mental well-being of an individual. Based on a study, the association of insomnia and mental health is significant (OR=2.97). Circadian rhythm disorder is defined as disruptions in a person’s circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm regulates the estimated 24-hour cycle of biological processes. To date, there are still no significant evidence to portray the relationship between both circadian rhythm disorder and mental health. Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated pharyngeal obstruction, during sleep causing apnea and hypopnea. Depressive disorder (21.75%), anxiety disorders (16.67%), PTSD (11.85%), psychotic disorders (5.13%), bipolar disorder (4.06%), and dementia (2.13%) were statistically significantly more prevalent in the apnea group compared with the non-apnea group. The study looked at the prevalence by gender of different types of common mental illnesses. The researchers also found that women with anxiety disorders are more likely to internalize emotions, which typically results in withdrawal, loneliness and depression. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to externalize emotions, which leads to aggressive, impulsive, coercive and noncompliant behavior, according to the study. Sleeping aids has also shown association to affect mental health. Other factors such as sleeping hours per day and parasomnia are also the variables being analyzed.

Insomnia, Mental Health, Medical Students