An Overview of Chronic Insomnia

Most adults have trouble sleeping at one time or another. For those who have consistent problems getting a full night’s sleep for three weeks or more, chronic insomnia may be the diagnosis. While sleep deprivation on occasion is not a serious problem, long term deprivation can result in a host of health issues, including a less effective immune system, some psychiatric disorders and a heightened risk of some diseases. If you find that you have trouble sleeping more often than not, read on for basic information about chronic insomnia and how it can be treated.

Causes
There are many potential causes of chronic insomnia, although it may be hard to determine whether the factors are causing the sleeplessness or the sleeplessness is causing these other conditions. Some possible causes include mental disorders like depression, anxiety or post traumatic stress disorder. Brain injuries can also contribute to difficulty sleeping. Other common causes include excessive stress and worry, substance abuse and some medical conditions. Chronic insomnia may also have a genetic component, since 35% of people with insomnia also have a family member with the condition.

Symptoms
It may seem obvious that the primary symptom of chronic insomnia is an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. However, there are other symptoms one might see with this condition as well. People with chronic insomnia may suffer from daytime fatigue, irritability, tension headaches or gastrointestinal problems. They may also have trouble focusing on tasks and they may experience an increased frequency of mistakes or accidents. When your lack of sleep begins to affect your daily tasks, it may be time to see the doctor for treatment.

Treatment
Treatment for chronic insomnia may include a combination of medication and behavioral therapies designed to change the way you approach your nighttime routine. It is usually best to perform these therapies under the guidance of a doctor who is trained in sleep disorders. If there is an underlying cause for the chronic insomnia, such as substance abuse or underlying conditions, treatment for those issues may resolve the insomnia. Medications may also be used for the first few weeks, until the behavioral therapies begin to have a positive effect.

Chronic insomnia can get in the way of daily life, but there are treatment options that can help you get a good night’s rest once again. If you notice that your daytime activities are becoming affected by your lack of sleep at night, talk to your doctor about what you can do for your chronic insomnia so that you can get the sleep you need.

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