Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep despite having the opportunity to sleep. People affected by insomnia often have trouble initiating sleep, waking up frequently during the night, or waking up too early and being unable to go back to sleep. Insomnia can be acute or chronic; In other words, it may affect a person briefly or over an extended time respectively.
Acute insomnia is typically triggered by temporary factors like stress, traumatic events, changes in the sleep environment, or disruptions to a regular sleep schedule. Acute insomnia is often resolved without treatment when underlying causes are addressed. On the other hand, chronic insomnia may last for at least three nights a week for a period of three months or longer. It can have a wider variety of causes, including underlying medical conditions, mental health disorders (i.e. anxiety, depression), medication side effects, or substance abuse. Symptoms of chronic insomnia extend beyond just difficulty sleeping, and can include: daytime fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, mood disturbances, decreased performance in professional environments, and impaired social and interpersonal relationships.
Ultimately, Insomnia can significantly impact a person’s overall quality of life and well-being if left untreated. Treatment for insomnia is heavily determined by the symptoms exhibited and the patient’s experience, but some general methods include the following: addressing underlying conditions, adopting healthier sleep practices, utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, and in acute cases prescribing medication.
The Insomniac's Guide is a website of selected information that is meant to help anybody suffering from any negative impacts of insomnia. This resource contains basic information about the disorder and a structured environment to guide any patients in need of support to the proper places to get help.