Why sleep is worth treating on its own
Lack of sleep, waking up multiple times at night, problems falling asleep, waking too early and daytime tiredness can contribute to a great many other things — mood, concentration, irritability, physical health.
Insomnia is often treated as a symptom of something else and left there. Sometimes that's right. Often it's worth addressing directly, because improving sleep improves everything sitting on top of it.
Common symptoms
- Difficulty falling asleep at the start of the night
- Waking repeatedly, or lying awake in the middle of the night
- Waking earlier than intended and being unable to get back to sleep
- Daytime tiredness, low energy or fogginess
- Irritability or low mood that tracks with poor nights
- Anxiety about sleep itself — dreading bedtime
What contributes to insomnia
Stress, anxiety, depression, pain, medications, caffeine and alcohol, shift work, screens and irregular schedules all play a role. So do medical conditions such as sleep apnea, which may need evaluation elsewhere — your provider can help you figure out where to look.
How insomnia is treated
Treatment is individualized and often starts with the behavioral and environmental factors keeping sleep disrupted, since those changes tend to hold. Medication may be part of the plan in some cases; your provider will discuss benefits, risks and alternatives with you.
This page is general information, not medical advice. It cannot diagnose you and is not a substitute for an evaluation. Conditions treated may vary by clinician and service.
