What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a common health condition that causes sleep issues that interfere with a person’s ability to cope with daily life.

In this blog post, we will discuss in detail what insomnia is, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, and how to cope with it.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is characterised as “A common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. It also can cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. You may still feel tired when you wake up.”

If you have insomnia for less than three months, it is called short-term insomnia. Insomnia that lasts for three months or longer is long-term.

Every person will need a different amount of sleep but on average, you can expect to need the below:

Adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep per night
Children require between nine and thirteen hours of sleep per night
Toddlers and babies need between twelve and seventeen hours of sleep per night

If you are consistently feeling tired throughout the day, you are not getting enough sleep.

Symptoms of insomnia

You might have insomnia if you exhibit the below symptoms:

You might find it hard to get to sleep
You may wake up several times during the night
You may also lie awake at night
You could wake up early and cannot get back to sleep
You might still feel tired after waking up
You may find it hard to nap during the day even though you are tired
You will feel tired and irritable during the day
You might find it difficult to concentrate during the day because you are tired

What causes insomnia?

There are several causes, depending on the type. Some potential causes can be found below:

Stress, anxiety or depression
Noise
A room that is too hot or cold
Uncomfortable beds
Alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine
An addiction to illegal drugs like cocaine or ecstasy
Jet lag
Shift work

How is insomnia diagnosed?

You should make an appointment to see your GP if you find it hard to get to sleep or stay asleep – especially if it is causing problems in your daily life.

Your GP will ask about your sleep routine, your alcohol and caffeine consumption and lifestyle habits like diet and exercise. They will check your history for illness or medication.

Your GP will try to work out what is causing your insomnia so you can have the right treatment.

Insomnia treatment

Often, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is offered. This could be face-to-face with a therapist, or through online self-help. CBT can help you transform the thoughts and behaviours that stop you from sleeping.

You may also be referred to a sleep clinic if you have symptoms of another sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea.

It is very unlikely that your GP will prescribe sleeping pills to treat your insomnia. Sleeping pills could have serious side effects and you may become dependent on them. They will only be prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, and only if your insomnia is particularly bad and other treatments have not worked.

Alongside the above, it may be worth trying the following lifestyle changes:

Follow a sleep schedule – try your best to go to sleep at the same time every night
Be wary of stimulants – limit your consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine, especially before sleeping
Control the light – make sure your bedroom is both dark and quiet. Try not to go on your phone, or watch TV, in bed
Do not eat before bed – avoid eating a large meal before you go to sleep