Is Insomnia Disorder an illness?

Many people experience Insomnia Disorder such as not getting enough sleep, not feeling rested, and not sleeping well. These sleeping difficulties can result in problems functioning during the daytime and have unpleasant effects on your work, family, and social life. Sleep problems can be a symptom of an impending condition such as bipolar disorder. In addition to affecting your sleep itself, many medical and mental problems can get worsened by sleep-related problems. One of the most common sleep Insomnia Disorder.

What do you mean by Insomnia Disorder?

Insomnia is one of the major sleep disorders that an individual faces. It is an ability to get the amount of sleep needed to function efficiently during the daytime. About one in three people in the USA report difficulty sleeping at least one night per week. The condition of insomnia is caused due to difficulty falling asleep, waking up too early in the morning, or difficulty staying asleep.

It is rarely an isolated mental and medical condition but rather a symptom of another illness to be investigated by an individual and their medicinal professionals. In some people, this sleeping disorder can be a result of an individual work and lifestyle schedule.

Sometimes this condition can be caused due to sleep apnea, which is a different medical condition that may affect your ability to breathe while sleeping. A medical professional can diagnose this condition and provide treatment to improve sleep.

Acute or short-term insomnia is prevalent and has many causes, including travel, stress, and other life events. It can usually be relieved by simple sleep hygiene such as bedroom environment, sleep hygiene, and warm milk. The problem of chronic insomnia can last for more than three weeks and should be investigated by a professional with a potential referral to a sleep disorder specialist.

Effects and causes of Insomnia Disorder

About 50 percent of cases of insomnia are related to depression, psychological stress, and anxiety. Often the qualities of an individual’s insomnia and its symptoms can help determine the role of mental problems in their ability to sleep. Early wakefulness can be a symptom of depression, along with changes in weight and appetite, sadness, low energy, and inability to concentrate.

At the same time, a sudden dramatic decrease in sleep accompanied by an increase in energy or lack of need for sleep can be a symptom of mania. Many anxiety disorders are associated with difficulty in sleeping. The condition of OCD is frequently related to poor sleep.

Conditions of substance use disorder can also cause problems with sleep. While consumption of alcohol is sedating in limited quantities can make you wake up numerous times in the night and disturbs your sleeping pattern. Illegal drugs, including LSD, are also associated with an interruption in sleep. Some sedative drugs may cause sleepiness during intoxication but can disturb your sleep and cause severe sleeping problems in an individual who is misusing or withdrawing from these drugs.

Poor sleep hygiene has been shown to worsen the symptoms of many health-related issues significantly. Serious sleep problems may decrease the effectiveness of specific treatments. Treatment of this condition has also been studied in relation to ADHD, schizophrenia, and other disorders.

Can Insomnia Disorder be dangerous?

The problem of insomnia which is twice as common in females than in males affects about 6 to 10 percent of adults. It is the most common sleep problem yet often goes underdiagnosed and untreated. The consequences can be much more severe than daytime sleepiness. Some research has linked insomnia to other medical conditions.

Public awareness of this condition has grown in recent years due to commercials for prescription medicine such as Ambien, but rates have been stable over the last couple of decades. Although there is no standard definition of this condition, suggested criteria may include taking more than thirty minutes to fall asleep or waking up too early.

If you meet any of these criteria and feel like you cannot focus during the day as you are so tired, you may have the condition of insomnia. But if you feel fine after sleeping less than 6.5 hours at night, you may just be a short sleeper.

What are the possible treatments for insomnia?

The first-choice treatment for insomnia is good sleep hygiene and cycle, or taking care of any underlying conditions that may cause the problem of sleeping. But when these are not enough, other treatment options can be considered.

• Relaxation techniques– Try progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness, and deep breathing. It can help you become aware of your body and decrease anxiety about going to sleep.
• Good sleeping habits– It is the first-choice treatment for insomnia, including avoiding stimulating activities and maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
• Medicines– Much prescription medicine is used to improve your sleep cycle. Ambien is one of the best medicinal treatments for insomnia. One should be careful regarding the risk of becoming oversedated by using other medicine and alcohol when taking some of these drugs. A medical professional does not generally recommend staying on medications for more than a few weeks, but there are a few medicines that have been approved for long-term treatment.
• Light therapy– This therapy is also known as phototherapy; it can be specifically helpful in an individual with the condition known as delayed sleep phase syndrome.

Conclusion

Insomnia is not just a nuisance or minor inconvenience. It is a sleep disorder that may affect mental and emotional health and physical well-being. A lack of sleep can result in a variety of troubles ranging from mild tiredness to chronic health problems.

If you think you have the condition of insomnia, consult your medical professional as soon as possible. They will help you to explore possible causes and offer help in finding the treatment for insomnia for you.