Insomnia
Insomnia
Quality sleep is essential for mental and physical health. Those with insomnia may experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early, leading to daytime fatigue and impaired functioning. Insomnia can affect your mood, concentration, relationships, and overall well-being. While occasional sleep difficulties are common, chronic insomnia significantly impacts quality of life and often co-occurs with other mental health conditions. If you're experiencing persistent sleep problems, please discuss your symptoms with our qualified clinicians.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, affecting approximately 30% of adults at some point and 10% experiencing chronic insomnia. It involves persistent difficulty with sleep initiation, maintenance, or quality despite adequate opportunity for sleep. While insomnia can occur at any age, it becomes more common with age.
Chronic insomnia is defined as sleep difficulties occurring at least three nights per week for three months or more. Insomnia significantly increases the risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other health conditions, making treatment essential for overall wellness.
Insomnia Symptoms In Adolescents
Recognizing insomnia in adolescents requires attention to sleep patterns and daytime functioning, as teens have different sleep needs than adults. Parents and educators should look for the following signs. Their home and school environment should be observed.
Sleep-related symptoms:
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Waking frequently during the night
- Waking too early in the morning
- Resisting bedtime routines
- Nightmares or sleep terrors
- Excessive time to fall asleep
- Anxiety about sleep
- Irregular sleep schedules
Daytime symptoms:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty waking for school
- Poor concentration and memory
- Irritability and mood swings
- Declining academic performance
- Increased impulsivity
- Physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches)
- Reliance on caffeine
Signs And Symptoms In Adults
Insomnia is diagnosed in adults when sleep difficulties cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning. Diagnosis can be complex because other conditions, such as sleep apnea or depression, cause similar symptoms.
Symptoms of Nighttime:
- Taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep
- Waking multiple times during the night
- Lying awake for long periods
- Waking too early
- Non-restorative sleep
- Racing thoughts at bedtime
- Physical tension preventing sleep
- Clock-watching and sleep anxiety
- Reliance on sleep aids
Symptoms of Daytime:
- Fatigue and low energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Mood disturbances
- Decreased motivation
- Workplace or social impairment
- Increased accidents or errors
- Ongoing worry about sleep
Our Treatment Approach for Insomnia
What Causes Insomnia
The exact cause is often multifactorial. Stress and anxiety play significant roles in triggering and perpetuating sleep difficulties.
Other risk factors include:
- Mental health conditions (depression, anxiety)
- Chronic pain or medical conditions
- Poor sleep habits
- Shift work or jet lag
- Hormonal changes
How Is Insomnia Treated
Insomnia is highly treatable with appropriate interventions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the first-line treatment and is effective for most individuals.
Treatment options include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
- Sleep hygiene education
Medication Management
While CBT-I is the preferred first-line treatment, medication can help manage acute insomnia or supplement behavioral treatment in some cases. Our providers evaluate whether medication may be appropriate for your situation and monitor treatment carefully. It is important to consult a mental health provider to determine the appropriate treatment plan.
Behavioral Therapy
CBT-I is highly effective for insomnia, addressing the thoughts and behaviors that interfere with sleep. Adults can benefit from structured approaches that create lasting sleep improvements without medication dependence.
Areas of focus include:
- Sleep restriction therapy
- Stimulus control techniques
- Cognitive restructuring for sleep anxiety
- Relaxation training
- Sleep hygiene education
Lifestyle Changes
- Maintaining consistent sleep and wake times
- Creating a comfortable sleep environment
- Limiting screen time before bed
- Avoiding caffeine after noon
- Regular exercise (not too close to bedtime)
- Developing a relaxing bedtime routine
Find Help With Your Anxiety At
We offer comprehensive treatment plans for people with insomnia and sleep disorders. Depending on the client’s needs, this may include medication management and supportive therapy.
Coded Healthcare also offers telepsychiatry as an option for patients who opt for the convenience of their homes. Being unable to come into the office should not prohibit anyone from receiving sleep disorder treatment. We will tailor a treatment plan to fit your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Question
What should I do if I think I have insomnia?
Contact a mental health provider to discuss your sleep difficulties. We can help determine if underlying conditions are contributing and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Is medication the only treatment for insomnia?
No. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first-line treatment and is often more effective long-term than medication alone.
How is insomnia diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation of your sleep patterns, medical history, and lifestyle factors. Sleep diaries and questionnaires help assess severity.
How can Coded Healthcare help with my insomnia?
Our clinicians provide personalized treatment including behavioral therapy, medication management when appropriate, and treatment of any underlying mental health conditions.