What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a clinically recognized sleep disorder involving persistent difficulty with sleep initiation, sleep maintenance, or early-morning awakening, despite adequate opportunity for sleep.

It can affect both short-term functioning and long-term health, contributing to fatigue, impaired concentration, mood changes, and increased risk for medical and psychiatric conditions.

Types of Insomnia

Insomnia is generally classified based on duration and frequency.

Acute Insomnia

• Short-term sleep disturbance

• Often related to stress, travel, illness, or life changes

Chronic Insomnia

• Occurs three or more nights per week

• Persists for longer than three months

• Often requires structured treatment

Common Symptoms of Insomnia

• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

• Waking too early and being unable to return to sleep

• Feeling unrefreshed upon waking

• Daytime fatigue or low energy

• Difficulty concentrating or reduced productivity

• Mood changes, including irritability or low mood

Causes and Contributing Factors

Insomnia often results from a combination of psychological, medical, and behavioral factors, including:

• Stress, anxiety, or depression

• Chronic medical conditions or pain

• Side effects of certain medications

• Disrupted circadian rhythm or irregular sleep schedules

• Lifestyle habits such as excessive caffeine, alcohol use, or late-night screen exposure

Insomnia may also coexist with other mental health conditions and should be evaluated in context.

Insomnia Evaluation and Diagnosis

A comprehensive evaluation may include:

• Review of sleep patterns and routines

• Assessment of stress, mood, and anxiety symptoms

• Evaluation for underlying medical or psychiatric conditions

• Review of medications and substances affecting sleep

Accurate diagnosis helps guide effective and individualized treatment.

Treatment Options for Insomnia

Insomnia is highly treatable, particularly when addressed with evidence-based approaches.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

• Considered the gold-standard treatment

• Targets unhelpful sleep behaviors and thought patterns

• Produces long-lasting improvement without medication dependence

Lifestyle and Behavioral Interventions

• Establishing a consistent sleep–wake schedule

• Limiting screen time and caffeine, especially in the evening

• Creating a sleep-conducive environment

Medications

• Non-habit-forming sleep aids

• Certain antidepressants (such as trazodone) when clinically appropriate

Medication use is individualized and carefully monitored to minimize side effects and dependency.

Healthy Sleep Practices

Supportive sleep strategies may include:

• Reserving the bed for sleep and intimacy only

• Keeping the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet

• Practicing relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness or progressive muscle relaxation, before bedtime

These strategies often enhance the effectiveness of formal treatment.

Living With Insomnia

With proper evaluation and treatment, most individuals experience significant improvement in sleep quality and daytime functioning. Early intervention can prevent insomnia from becoming chronic and reduce its impact on mental and physical health.