Sleep Disorders: Insomnia

Symptoms and Causes

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. People with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:

Difficulty falling asleep

Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep

Waking up too early in the morning

Feeling tired upon waking

Sleepiness during the day

Irritability and problems with concentration or memory

What Causes Insomnia?

Insomnia can be its own medical problem (primary insomnia) or it can be caused by a separate issue (secondary insomnia) such as depression or side effects from medication. Insomnia may be an acute (short-term) problem, meaning it lasts less than 1 month, or it can be chronic, lasting 1 month or longer.

Situations that may cause a period of acute insomnia can include:

Stress (for example, job loss or change, death of a loved one, divorce, or moving)

Illness

Emotional or physical discomfort

Environmental factors like noise, light, or extreme temperatures (hot or cold) that interfere with sleep

Some medications (for example those used to treat colds, allergies, depression, high blood pressure and asthma)

Interferences in normal sleep schedule (for example, jet lag or switching from a day to night shift)

Causes of chronic insomnia can include:

Depression and/or anxiety

Chronic stress

Pain or discomfort at night

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