Insomnia

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, which results in insufficient or poor-quality sleep. This condition can range from being a minor inconvenience to significantly disrupting daily life. Insomnia is classified into two types: acute, which is short-term, and chronic, which persists over a long period.

Symptoms of Insomnia

Symptoms of insomnia include:

feelings of tiredness
delayed responses
memory problems
slowed thought processes
mood disruptions
disruptions in routine activities

Severe or prolonged insomnia can lead to sleep deprivation, which increases the risk of various health conditions, including depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and conditions involving psychosis.

Causes and Risk Factors of Insomnia

Factors such as genetics, differences in brain activity, medical and mental health conditions, life circumstances, and personal habits can contribute to the development of insomnia. Several risk factors have been identified, including being a light sleeper, alcohol use, feeling unsafe at home, and having fear or anxiety related to sleep.

Diagnosis and Treatment

At RPMA, we emphasize behavioral therapy as the cornerstone of treatment for patients with insomnia, which occurs in 10% of the population at some point in their lives and can take hold as a persistent problem very easily. We conduct a comprehensive intake interview to understand a person’s life events and their risks for developing insomnia.

Tests that may be ordered:

Sleep logs
Actigraphy
Sleep studies
Labs

Patients may be invited to participate in a cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) program, which entails six visits at shorter (e.g., weekly) intervals. We also make recommendations to outside CBTi resources to best support you, whether in-person, through telemedicine, or through our mobile app.