Insomnia is more than an occasional late night. It involves trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or returning to sleep after an early awakening, even when there is a reasonable opportunity to rest.
How can insomnia affect daily life?
You may feel tired or irritable, find it harder to concentrate, or worry about the next night’s sleep. The daytime impact matters as much as the number of hours you remember being awake.
Short-term and chronic patterns
A stressful event or a change in circumstances can trigger short-term difficulty. Chronic insomnia generally involves symptoms on at least three nights a week for at least three months, with daytime effects. A clinician assesses the pattern and possible contributing conditions; you do not need to wait until this threshold to ask for help.
What may contribute?
Stress, changing routines, shift work and an unsuitable sleep environment can play a role. Caffeine, alcohol, some medicines and health conditions may also affect sleep. Tell your clinician when symptoms began and what changed around that time.
Prepare for an assessment
- Record how often the problem occurs.
- Note which part of the night is most difficult.
- Describe the effect on work, mood and safety.
- List medicines and products you have tried.
Do not keep increasing sleep aids on your own. Discuss a treatment plan that addresses the problem and is reviewed over time.
Frequently asked question
Is chronic insomnia simply a lack of discipline?
No. Persistent insomnia is a recognised sleep disorder. It deserves assessment and an individual treatment approach.
This article provides general education and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Images are illustrative.
