Comprehensive Sleep Care Center
19441 Golf Vista Plaza
230
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 729-3420
More Mental Health Articles
Understanding and Recognizing Insomnia
Anyone who has experienced sleep deprivation for just one day can attest to the harmful effects it can have on the body, as well as on the mind. Inadequate sleep impairs a person's ability to think, handle stress, maintain a healthy immune system, and control emotions. Sleep is the time our bodies recharge and cells undergo a process of renewal and restoration.
Many people disregard prolonged sleeplessness as a normal phase that they may be going through, or as a sign of aging, when in fact, it is one of the many common symptoms of insomnia (inability to fall asleep or maintain sleep).
Types of Insomnia
Insomnia may be characterized as primary or secondary, which refers to the cause of the disorder. Primary insomnia is not due to a specific, underlying medication condition. It is its own disorder and may be lifelong or triggered by events or factors that disrupt the sleep routine. Secondary insomnia has an underlying cause, and is a symptom or side effect of something else. It is the most common type of insomnia.
Insomnia may be acute or chronic, based on the length of time it lasts, and the frequency with which it occurs. Acute insomnia is short-term and can last a single night or several weeks. It can also come and go, with periods of time when a person has no sleep problems. In contrast to acute insomnia, chronic insomnia describes long-term sleep disturbances that occur several nights a week for more than a month. Approximately 10-15% of adults suffer from chronic insomnia.
Primary or acute insomnia may be caused by
Significant life stress
Emotional or physical discomfort
Environmental factors, such as noise, light, extreme temperature
Medications
Jet lag or change in work schedule
Secondary or chronic insomnia may result from
Depression or anxiety
Chronic pain
Gastrointestinal problems
Sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome
Stroke
Alzheimer's disease
Menopause
Insomnia and other sleep disorders can increase a person's risk and severity of hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. In addition, sleep deprivation may cause lower work/school performance, weight gain and obesity, as well as a poor immune system.
If you think you have insomnia, talk to your health care provider. Acute insomnia may not require treatment. However, chronic insomnia necessitates treatment for any underlying condition or health problem, and may indicate the need for behavior sleep therapy.
Other Articles You May Find of Interest...
- Self-Care Strategies: Prioritizing Your Mental Well-Being
- How Students Can Maintain Mental Health and Well-being in a Hectic Academic Life
- Bipolar Disorder and Effective Treatment Approaches
- Why Mental Health is Essential for Your Overall Well-being
- How Individual Online Therapy Helps You Develop Healthier Relationships With Others
- Exploring DBT Therapy: A Path to Emotional Wellness
- Why Ketamine Therapy is a Fast-Acting Solution for Acute Depression Episodes?