Insomnia

Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder.

An inability to sleep at night can lead to problems during the day, such as:

• Fatigue
• Sleepiness
• Inability to focus
• Mood problems
• Impaired work performance
• Relationship discord

Symptoms

The symptoms of insomnia include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Waking up earlier than planned

Causes

Insomnia is commonly triggered by stress and other life issues. In these cases, the insomnia often goes away when the source of stress is resolved. 

Others may experience chronic or frequent insomnia for months or years, which can be debilitating and interfere with your life. In these cases, it may be necessary to see a specialist for treatment.

Insomnia may exist on its own, or it can be related to medical and psychiatric problems.

Treatment

There are nonmedical and medical treatments for insomnia.

Non-medical treatments

• Relaxation training. There are various relaxation techniques that can help calm you and induce sleep, including mindfulness, meditation, guided imagery and breathing exercises.
• Stimulus control. Stimulus control helps strengthen the association between the bedroom and sleep. Examples of stimulus control include going to bed only when you are sleepy and getting out of bed when you're unable to sleep.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy. Behavioral changes, such as having a regular bedtime and avoiding naps, can help reduce fears and stress around sleeping.

Medical treatments

There are a number of sleep aids for insomnia, including over-the-counter and prescription medications. Your physician will work with you to select the most effective one based on your individual needs.

To learn more about insomnia and your treatment options, call 714-509-2230 for an appointment.