INSOMNIA  [ back to Glossary Index ]
Insomnia is a symptom not a disease. It refers to difficulty initiating sleep (sleep onset insomnia), maintaining sleep (sleep maintenance insomnia) or premature waking (terminal insomnia). Someone with insomnia feels unrestored and unrefreshed upon waking for the day, and typically shows sleepiness, cognitive slowing, poor memory and slowed motor reactions to varying degrees. Insomnia is the most common of sleep disorders, which may be transient (lasting a few days), short term (lasting up to 2-3 weeks) or chronic (persisting over 3 weeks). Approximately 40% of all Americans have complained of intermittent or chronic insomnia. Insomnia arises from a condition of the body (which may be hereditary or acquired) or a condition of the environment. Bodily factors include acquired brain injury from trauma or stroke, PTSD, epilepsy, bi-polar disorder (manic-depression), central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, pain or fever. External causes include situational anxiety or depression; jet lag from time zone change; shift work; high altitude; or an excess of light or noise while trying to sleep. Insomnia triggered by a traumatic brain injury is more resistive to treatment than many other forms. Medications to relieve headache, anxiety and depression, and religious adherence to a plan of proper sleep hygiene prescribed by a sleep medicine physician can help. Taking supplements like Melatonin without a doctor's advice is not recommended.