Insomnia
Overview
Insomnia means you regularly have problems sleeping. It usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits.
Symptoms
You have insomnia if you regularly: find it hard to go to sleepwake up several times during the nightlie awake at nightwake up early and cannot go back to sleepstill feel tired after waking upfind it hard to nap during the day even though you're tiredfeel tired and irritable during the dayfind it difficult to concentrate during the day because you're tired If you have insomnia for a short time (less than 3 months) it's called short-term insomnia. Insomnia that lasts 3 months or longer is called long-term insomnia.
Causes
The most common causes of insomnia are: stress, anxiety or depressionnoisea room that's too hot or colduncomfortable bedsalcohol, caffeine or nicotineillegal drugs like cocaine or ecstasyjet lagshift work mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorderAlzheimer's disease or Parkinson's diseaserestless legs syndromeoveractive thyroidmenopause Many medicines can also cause insomnia.
Treatment
mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorderAlzheimer's disease or Parkinson's diseaserestless legs syndromeoveractive thyroidmenopause Many medicines can also cause insomnia. A GP will try to find out what's causing your insomnia so you get the right treatment. Sometimes you'll be offeredcognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This may be face-to-face with a therapist, or through an online self-help programme. This can help you change the thoughts and behaviours that keep you from sleeping. You may be referred to a sleep clinic if you have symptoms of another sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea. GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills to treat insomnia. Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them. Sleeping pills are only prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, if: your insomnia is very badother treatments have not worked
Prevention
Consistent bedtimes; avoid caffeine after midday; relax 1hr before bed (no phone); dark/quiet room.
When to see a doctor
See GP if: affects daily life; 4 weeks of trouble sleeping. Sleep clinic referral for apnoea.