Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. The two kinds of insomnia are short-term and chronic.

With short-term insomnia, you struggle with getting adequate sleep for a few days or a few weeks. Stress is a common cause of this insomnia.

Chronic insomnia is defined as having a hard time falling or staying asleep three or more nights each week for three or more months.

You can develop insomnia from any number of causes. Your insomnia could be due to:

• Stress
• Change in schedule or routine
• Poor sleeping habits
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Medication side effect
• Chronic health conditions like chronic pain or acid reflux
• Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease
• Sleep apnea
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

Adults need 7-9 hours of high-quality sleep a night to feel well-rested in the morning. Not getting adequate sleep affects your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Sunset Neurological & Psychiatry Group recommends seeking help for insomnia when your inability to get adequate sleep makes it difficult or impossible for you to function during the day.

During your insomnia consultation, your provider asks detailed questions about your sleep habits, daily routine, eating habits, and stressors. They also review your medical history and the medications you take.

The team could run blood work to rule out a medical condition like a thyroid problem that might explain your symptoms. If they have concerns about a more serious sleep disorder, like sleep apnea, the team could recommend a sleep study.

 Your provider at Sunset Neurological & Psychiatry Group customizes your insomnia treatment based on your symptoms and needs. Your treatment can include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)

CBT-I is a form of therapy that helps you identify and replace the thoughts and behaviors that make it hard to fall or stay asleep.

Lifestyle changes

In addition to CBT-I, your provider also helps you make lifestyle changes that create healthier sleep habits. These include being more physically active during the day, cutting back on caffeine, and putting away all electronic devices 30 minutes before bed.

Medications

The team can prescribe medication for a short time to help you sleep while you incorporate the behavioral and lifestyle changes.

Don’t let your insomnia affect your quality of life. Schedule a consultation at Sunset Neurological & Psychiatry Group today.