What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is the subjective perception of difficulty with sleep initiation, duration, consolidation, or quality that occurs despite adequate opportunity for sleep, and that results in some form of daytime impairment.

How to Diagnose Insomnia?

SM-V Diagnostic Criteria for Insomnia Dissatisfaction with sleep quantity or quality, with one or more of the following symptoms:

Difficulty initiating sleep

Difficulty maintaining sleep, characterized by frequent awakenings or trouble returning to sleep after awakenings

Early-morning awakening with inability to return to sleep

Repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of trauma, typically experienced by first responders, medics, police officers, etc.

The sleep disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in daytime functioning, as evidenced by at least one of the following:

Fatigue or low energy

Daytime sleepiness

Impaired attention, concentration, or memory

Mood disturbance

Behavioral difficulties

Impaired occupational or academic function

Impaired interpersonal or social function

Negative effect on caregiver or family functioning

The sleep difficulty occurs at least 3 nights per week, is present for at least 3 months, and occurs despite adequate opportunity for sleep.

Treatment for Insomnia?

Changing your sleep habits and addressing any issues that may be associated with insomnia, such as stress, medical conditions or medications, can restore restful sleep for many people. If these measures don't work, your doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy, medications or both, to help improve relaxation and sleep.