Insomnia

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep, or waking up early. The result is that you don’t get the sleep you require for good health. You need to spend time in each of the sleep states (which include rapid eye movement — REM — sleep and dreaming) to ensure good mental health.

Without enough good quality sleep, you’re likely to experience chronic fatigue, low mood, and problems concentrating. Prolonged spells of insomnia can affect your physical health as well — because your body doesn’t have time to do all the necessary repairs and tissue generation.

The amount of sleep you need depends on your unique makeup and factors like your age, but in general, 7-8 hours is about right. The odd occasion when you can’t sleep because you’re sick or nervous about the upcoming day isn’t going to have a serious impact, but chronic insomnia that occurs most nights requires expert treatment.

Why do I have insomnia?

Insomnia might develop as a symptom of a health problem or as a standalone issue. Some common causes of insomnia include:

• Anxiety and stress
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Caffeine and other stimulants
• Chronic pain
• Sleep apnea
• Restless legs syndrome
• Hormone imbalances
• Aging

Medications that sometimes cause insomnia include antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, and asthma medications. Some over-the-counter products contain stimulants that make it harder to sleep.

Insomnia can also be a symptom of chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular disease, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Alzheimer’s disease.

You might develop problems sleeping if you have poor sleep habits like eating late at night, going to bed at different times, sleeping during the day, and using electronic devices before trying to sleep.

What can I do about my insomnia?

At Empower You Mental Health & Wellness, Candice begins by looking at what might be causing your insomnia. You might need to change your bedtime routine, consider a medication adjustment, or receive treatment for a condition like sleep apnea.

If you still have insomnia after making these changes, Candice might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Medications like sleeping pills are sometimes helpful in the short term, but they can cause side effects in some people.

To find the solution to your insomnia, call Empower You Mental Health & Wellness today or book an appointment online.