The_Ins_and_Outs_of_Insomnia

Types of Insomnia
Insomnia is one of several disorders that is often referred to without a full understanding of what
sufferers really go through. Certainly, the inability to sleep when the body needs to sleep can be a
serious problem though actual insomnia is specifically defined and categorized. The distinctions are
based on how long the lack of quality and/or lack of sufficient quantity of sleep lasts.
• Transient Insomnia – A few days to a few weeks
• Acute Insomnia – Several weeks to a few months
• Chronic Insomnia – Several months to several years
Reasons for Insomnia
There are many possible reasons for why someone might be suffering from insomnia. Sometimes these
are easily identifiable but most of the time, a medical health professional will be needed to accurately
identify underlying causes.
• Sleep apnea or other breathing issues – Perhaps the easiest to identify, sleep apnea or
breathing issues are audible and unpleasant for anyone within earshot. The blockage that
causes sleep apnea can be due to several underlying medical conditions such as obesity or
enlarged tonsils
• Physical pain – any number of types of physical pain can cause insomnia but there are certain
types that occur more frequently than others. These are back pain, neck pain, and arthritis.
Sometimes neck and back pain can be relieved with something as simple as replacing the
mattress.
• Anxiety – When someone spends most of their waking hours worried or anxious about
everything small and big, that doesn’t stop because it’s night time. In fact, anxiety can be at its
worse when someone is trying to sleep because there are fewer distractions.
• Depression – Similar to anxiety, night time provides a combination of factors that can make
depression worse. Most notably, nothing to distract the sufferer from their own thoughts. If
there is any chance that anxiety or depression are the underlying causes of insomnia, the only
answer lies in therapy.
Effects of Insomnia
Obvious effects of insomnia are feeling tired and drowsy during the day time. At night, people suffering
from insomnia will experience long periods of time awake at night or several short periods of sleep
throughout the night. Both of which are likely to result in a feeling of not really having slept at all.
Although anxiety and depression can cause insomnia, they can conversely be symptoms of insomnia as
well. In addition to feeling anxious or depressed, someone may also be noticeably irritable. In a cruel
cycle, if anxiety and depression are preexisting, insomnia can exacerbate the problem.
This interesting article about Insomnia was brought to E-therapy . E-therapy is a website that provides
connections the best councilors and therapies online.

What Can I Do?
Especially if the problem has lasted for more than a few days, strongly consider seeking the advice of a
mental health professional. Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine can also negatively affect your ability to fall
asleep or achieve quality sleep. If you abuse these or any other stimulants and are unable to stop on
your own, seek professional help. Exercise several hours before sleep and finding time to unwind in the
moments before you sleep have both shown to improve the quantity and quality of sleep.