Types of Insomnia

Insomnia — a term used broadly to define “difficulty with sleeping” — can take many forms. Your insomnia may be characterized by one of these problems primarily, but it most likely will entail some combination of:

• Trouble falling asleep
• Difficulty staying asleep; frequent wakings
• Waking up too early
• Not feeling rested when you wake up

There are three basic types of insomnia:

1. Transient insomnia lasts only a few nights. It is often caused by jet lag, temporary stress, excitement, illness, or a change in sleep schedule.
2. Short-term insomnia lasts up to three weeks. It often results from more prolonged stress or worries, such as financial troubles, death of a loved one, job change, or divorce. If not addressed, short-term insomnia may escalate into a chronic problem.
3. Chronic insomnia, also known as long-term insomnia, lasts more than a month. It can occur every night, most nights, or several nights each month. Chronic insomnia is often caused by a medical problem; treating the underlying problem may alleviate the insomnia. Chronic sleeplessness may also be caused by bad sleep habits.

If you’re not sure why you have insomnia, using a sleep diary can help you uncover the source of your problems. You should also consult your healthcare provider; he or she can help you discern the probable causes of your insomnia and offer you solutions.

Find some sleep solutions:

• Promote Sleep
• Things to Avoid
• Discover Patterns
• Consult Your Healthcare Provider
• Consider Medications