Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which sufferers have trouble falling asleep, or difficulty staying asleep. It is something that most people experience at least once in their lives. This experience is usually a result of external factors such as stress, anxiety, illness, or environmental factors, such as noise or light. Most people suffer from insomnia during a period of turbulence in their lives, such as moving to a new house, undergoing exams, starting a new job, or the death of a loved one.
Some medications, such as allergy medications and antidepressants, may also cause insomnia by interfering with sleep patterns.
For most people, insomnia is temporary and only lasts for a few days up to a few weeks, often disappearing altogether after this time.
For some people, however, insomnia is something they find themselves living with for much longer periods of time. Chronic insomnia is categorized by sleeplessness occurring at least three nights a week for over a month and is usually caused by emotional or psychological problems. The most common disorders responsible for chronic insomnia are depression, bipolar disorder, chronic stress, PTSD, and ADHD.
Living with a disrupted sleep pattern for longer than a month can negatively impact a person’s day-to-day life, as tiredness and fatigue are common in those suffering from the disorder. These conditions can lead to a lack of productivity, mood swings, problems with concentration or memory, and irritability. Over time this can have a knock-on effect at work, in relationships, and on the general mood and well-being of the sufferer. Although sleeping pills can be a helpful short-term solution for people experiencing short bouts of insomnia, these are not suitable for long-term use given the addictive nature of these medications. Identifying causes of sleeplessness and addressing these is often more helpful in tackling chronic insomnia, as can making small changes to your bedtime and daily routine.
Dealing with insomnia can be challenging and frustrating, and can negatively impact your health and happiness over time. This impact is particularly true of people suffering from chronic insomnia, in which this sleeplessness can last long-term. Making changes to your sleep habits, daytime activities and evening routine, can all have a positive impact on your quality of sleep, and on your ability to fall asleep at bedtime.
Chief editor here at Snore Nation and a proud father of two cool boys. I am a reformed snorer, a reformed smoker, a reformed overeater, a reformed city dweller and a reformed workaholic stress monster on the mission to share my insider tips to restore that quality sleep for you and your partner!