If you can’t sleep, you may be wondering if you have insomnia. Insomnia is a complicated condition.
Insomnia may be characterized based on its duration. Acute insomnia is brief and often happens because of life circumstances (for example, when you can’t fall asleep the night before an exam, or after receiving stressful or bad news). Many people may have experienced this type of passing sleep disruption, and it tends to resolve without any treatment.
Chronic insomnia is disrupted sleep that occurs at least three nights per week and lasts at least three months. Chronic insomnia disorders can have many causes. Changes in the environment, unhealthy sleep habits, shift work, other clinical disorders, and certain medications could lead to a long-term pattern of insufficient sleep. People with chronic insomnia may benefit from some form of treatment to help them get back to healthy sleep patterns. Chronic insomnia can be comorbid, meaning it is linked to another medical or psychiatric issue, although sometimes it’s difficult to understand this cause and effect relationship.
Symptoms of Insomnia:
Look for these common insomnia symptoms, which include:
- Difficulty either falling or staying asleep
- Being sleepy during the day
- Variable sleep (you have sleep issues for several nights and then a couple nights of good sleep)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Reduced energy or feeling fatigued
- Forgetfulness
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Worrying about sleep
- Irritability
- Increased accidents or errors while performing everyday tasks
- Falling asleep while driving
The condition compromises more than your energy levels, so it’s worth recognizing the symptoms and getting help from your health care team. Not getting enough high-quality sleep can increase your risk of depression, weight gain and obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and memory and concentration problems. It can even make you look older.
Deliverable: A sound sleep and allowing 98% of your brain work for your benefit.