Chronic Insomnia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Insomnia, the difficulty of initiating or maintaining sleep, is an illness that affects many people. However, for some, insomnia becomes so severe that it is considered a chronic illness. Chronic Insomnia is a serious condition that can cause a lot of distress and can seriously harm a person’s quality of life. It is vital that individuals with insomnia understand its symptoms, causes, and its potential treatments.
Chronic insomnia is generally defined as insomnia lasting three or more nights a week for at least three months. It can be caused by a variety of things, some of which could be biological or physiological, psychological, or environmental. For some individuals, a combination of causes may trigger the development of insomnia.
Individuals with chronic insomnia tend to display certain symptoms, such as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, difficulty with waking during the night or being alert during the day, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, memory problems, and difficulty enjoying activities.
Treating Chronic Insomnia
Treating chronic insomnia means firstly understanding the source or sources of the insomnia. In some cases, treating the underlying causes may lead to resolution of the insomnia. For other cases, the treatment may be more complicated and involve the use of medications, cognitive-behavioural therapy, or a combination of these techniques.
Medication can be prescribed by a doctor to address the symptoms of chronic insomnia. Sleep medications are usually only recommended for short-term use, and there are potential side-effects associated with their use. Before taking any medication, individuals should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI)
CBTI is a form of talk therapy that is specifically designed to target the causes of chronic insomnia. The aim of CBTI is to address underlying thought patterns and behaviours that may be contributing to the insomnia. Some of these include stress management, lifestyle changes, relaxation exercises, and establishing regular sleep/wake times.
CBTI is a relatively safe therapy option and has been proven to be effective in treating insomnia. It has some advantages over the use of medications, such as the lack of potential side-effects. However, it is important to note that CBTI needs to be undertaken over several weeks and may require up to 12 sessions for optimal results.
For some individuals, a combination of medication and CBTI may be the best choice for addressing chronic insomnia. It is important to discuss the options with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your individual situation.
Takeaways
- Chronic insomnia is defined as insomnia lasting three or more nights a week for at least three months.
- Chronic insomnia can be caused by a variety of factors, including biological, psychological, or environmental.
- Common symptoms of chronic insomnia include difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, difficulty with waking during the night or being alert during the day, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, memory problems, and difficulty enjoying activities.
- Treatments for chronic insomnia involve identifying potential underlying causes and treating them, medications, or cognitive-behavioural therapy.
- CBTI is relatively safe and has been proven to be an effective treatment option for insomnia.
The Bottom Line
Chronic insomnia can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about your individual case to determine the best course of treatment for treating your insomnia. With the right treatment, it is possible to manage your chronic insomnia and improve your quality of life.