Insomnia…what is it?
Do I Have Insomnia?
First, let’s define what insomnia is. Insomnia involves poor satisfaction with one’s sleep either due to issues falling asleep, staying asleep, or unable to get back to sleep once awoken. In order to be formally diagnosed these limited-sleep nights have to happen for at least 3 of 7 nights a week and be present for at least 3 months. In order to qualify as an Insomniac, you also have to have the opportunity to get a full nights rest and are simply unable to do so. Insomnia results in a significant burden and inability to function during the waking hours.
Is Insomnia A Bad Thing?
Well, it certainly isn’t a good thing. Some people can function on few hours of sleep (but those who do, would not be classified as Insomniacs). Insomnia can occur alongside other mental health disorders, such as Depression and Anxiety, and if it hasn’t, it can lead to them. Often Insomnia is the first sign mental health issues are occurring, which is why it is important to intervene early to nip it in the bud. In addition to negative effects on mental health, lack of sleep also has a negative impact on physical and medical health, and should be investigated to see if there are any underlying medical conditions that are contributing or causing the insomnia, such as sleep apnea.
How Do I Treat My Insomnia?
As a result of insomnia, some may increase caffeine intake to keep themselves awake during the day, take naps in the afternoon or whenever the opportunity exists, or even grow to fear sleep and get anxiety around the impending restless night. Though these attempts to reduce the hardship of insomnia may be helpful at the time, they do nothing to actually fix the issue at hand and in fact, can make insomnia more of a fixture in your life.
There are medications that can help re-instate a healthy sleep schedule and discussing these options with your psychiatrist is a good first step. Behavioral modifications that help strengthen healthy habits work as well. CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) exists to cater the therapy specifically to issues regarding one’s relationship with sleep. Sleep is important and there are many avenues for which to get help.
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13010058
https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/key_disorders.html
