Insomnia is characterized by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or by experiencing non-restorative sleep. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (lasting three months or more) and significantly affects daytime functioning.
Key Points:
- Types:
- Onset Insomnia: Trouble falling asleep.
- Maintenance Insomnia: Waking during the night and having difficulty returning to sleep.
- Early-Morning Awakenings: Waking up too early and being unable to fall back asleep.
- Causes: Stress, anxiety, inconsistent sleep schedules, poor sleep habits, mental health conditions (e.g., depression), and medical issues (e.g., chronic pain).
- Consequences: Daytime fatigue, irritability, impaired cognitive performance, elevated risk for mood disorders.
- Treatments: Sleep hygiene education, cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), relaxation techniques, and sometimes short-term medication.
