Insomnia Essay, Research Paper

Insomnia

Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of one or more of the following: difficulty falling asleep, waking up many times a night with troubles of falling back asleep, waking up too early, or unrefreshing sleep.

Insomnia is not defined by the number of hours of sleep a person gets or how long it takes them to fall asleep. Each person has different needs and satisfactions with sleep. Some signs of insomnia may include tiredness, a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Insomnia can be classified as transient (short term), intermittent (on and off), and chronic (constant).

Certain conditions in a person s life may induce the chances of insomnia. Examples include elderly, female, or a history of depression. Transient and intermittent insomnia patients suffer from stress, environmental noise, extreme temperatures, change in environment, sleep/wake schedule problems due to jet lag, and/or medication side effects. Chronic insomnia is more complex and may involve several of the previously listed symptoms, also physical or mental disorders. Depression is the most common causes of insomnia. Behaviors also can cause insomnia. Some include drinking caffeine, drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, excessive napping and irregular sleeping patterns. If you already have insomnia these behaviors will prolong the existing insomnia.

Insomnia is found in males and females of all ages, however females it is more common (especially after menopause) and in the elderly. The ability to sleep instead of the need for sleep appears to decrease while age increases.

Transient and intermittent insomnia may not require treatment since they are not lasting but maybe a few days at a time per episode. For instance, if a person suffers from jet lag it is up to their biological clock to get their sleeping pattern back to normal. Chronic insomnia has required treatments. A psychologist must identify behaviors that prolong the insomnia and get them stopped. Sleeping pills are not suggested in the treatment for chronic insomnia. Behavioral techniques to improve sleep such as relaxation therapy sleep restriction therapy, and reconditioning may be tried. Relaxation therapy is used to reduce the person s anxiety levels thus relaxing them. Sleep restriction can also prove effective. A person is allowed only a few hours of sleep, then hours are gradually added on until a normal night s sleep is achieved. Reconditioning is used to reassociate a person s bed with bedtime. The person is told to go to bed only when tired. If the person gets into bed at night and is not sleepy they are supposed to get up and stay up till they are drowsy. Also they are advised not to take naps and they should get up and go to bed at the same time each night. This technique creates a sleeping pattern for the patient. All treatments are effective if followed correctly.

Insomnia and other sleeping disorders attack millions of people at any given time. As many that suffer the same amount can be cured.