Having trouble sleeping at night? When you do get the chance to sleep, do you end up waking up several times throughout the night? And are you finding it hard to go back to sleep? All leading to poor quality of sleep? If you nodded your head or you raised your hand in silence, then you might be showing some signs of insomnia. This article explains why insomnia is something more than just a mere lack of sleep.

Getting To Know More About Insomnia

Insomnia refers to a prevalent and persistent form of sleep deprivation. It is characterized by some experiences of sleeping difficulties, affecting up to 35% of individuals. 10-30% of the said population are adults suffering from different signs of insomnia. However, these signs and symptoms may vary from one person to another, depending on the severity.

Anyone, regardless of age, may have this sleep condition. But it seems that acute insomnia is more common than the chronic type. More people tend to have within a short period of time due to factors that often come and go in their lives (i.e., stress and irregular sleep schedules).

This disorder falls under the category of sleep-wake disorders from the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Consequently, it can result in severe implications such as:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Increased risk of accidents (usually while driving)
• Broader health-related problems and concerns

How Much Sleep Does One Need on a Daily?

It is ideal for people to have a good 8-hour sleep to be able to rest and recover not only the bodies but also the minds. But contrary to this common notion, the requirement of hours may vary.

In a general sense,

• Adults are in need of a good 7-9 hours of sleep in a day.
• Children should have 9-13 hours of sleep per night.
• Toddlers and newborns need to sleep for half a day or more (12-17 hours).

If you frequently feel exhausted during the day, you are much likely already experiencing signs of insomnia.

What Are The Signs of Insomnia?

As stated, the signs of insomnia may vary from one person to the next, depending on the specific state or situation one is in. But a person with insomnia displays the common symptoms like one or more of the following:

• Difficulty sleeping at night (lying awake for the most part)
• Waking up in the middle of the night (or too early) and having a hard time going back to sleep
• Feeling tired and fatigued (or not feeling well-rested at all) when you wake up

Other symptoms during the day may be caused by inadequate sleep. For instance, you may have low energy throughout the day while dealing with some mood disturbances.

Moreover, it can make you feel worried, depressed, or irritable. This might get you in the recall and concentration of things. A person suffering from insomnia is also more prone to errors and accidents. Thus, impairing your social, professional, and even academic performances.

What Causes Insomnia?

There are several causes and factors that can lead to this sleep disorder. Some of which are stress, irregular sleep patterns, lifestyle, physical illness or pain, or even other mental health disorders.

Stress

Stress can cause a powerful reaction in the body, which makes getting a good night’s sleep difficult. Work, school, and social relationships are several aspects of life that can trigger different stress responses.

Chronic stress, including post-traumatic stress disorder, can result from exposure to distressing experiences (PTSD).

In addition to that, hyperarousal is often caused by the body’s physical response to stress, or by mental stress. Inability to sleep may become a stressor in itself, making it even more difficult to reverse the trend of stress and insomnia.

Irregular sleep patterns

Truth be told, most people have sleep patterns that induce the circadian rhythm to be out of sync.

Irregular sleep patterns are common to people who experience jetlag and those who need to manage shift work. Because a person’s body cannot adjust to a quick change in time zone, jet lag disrupts sleep. Shift work, on the other hand, entails being awake all night and sleeping during the day. These can result in a disruption in both the circadian rhythm and sleeplessness.

Lifestyle

Insomnia can worsen over time when a person continues with unhealthy habits and routines linked to lifestyle, food, and alcohol. Dietary habits, though often disregarded, could have a part in sleeping difficulties.

Both caffeine and nicotine are stimulants that remain in your system for hours, making it difficult to fall asleep. Whereas, alcohol is a sedative that makes you feel tired, which could actually worsen things by disrupting your sleep cycle and generating fragmented, non-restorative sleep.

Physical illness/pain

Almost any disease that produces pain can induce difficulty comfortably lying down on the bed. Thus, causing sleep disruption.

When you are in bed and cannot sleep, focusing on your pain might increase it, leading to more stress and sleep issues.

Other mental health disorders

Anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are all common mental health disorders that cause substantial sleeping problems. These disorders can cause persistent negative thoughts and mental hyperarousal.

Reports revealed that there is about 40% of individuals who suffer from insomnia have a mental health problem.

These causes may help you understand the link as to why are you having trouble sleeping at night.

Key Takeaways

Insomnia is not only a matter that costs a person fewer hours of sleep. It can drain your energy and mood, as well as your health and work performance. Hence, affecting the overall quality of life.

What you can do about it is to look out for better sleeping habits and patterns that could work well for you to combat insomnia. Medications and cognitive behavioral therapies are also offered to people with chronic insomnia.

Learn more about insomnia here.