Insomnia—trouble falling or staying asleep—can be caused by stress, a changing work schedule, lack of activity, or caffeine. Noise, light, and illness can also disrupt sleep. Treatment of insomnia requires an informed doctor. Effective treatments are available. Sleeping pills can be addictive and are not recommended as a long-term solution.
Acute Insomnia
A brief episode of difficulty sleeping. Acute insomnia is usually caused by a life event, such as a stressful change in a person's job, receiving bad news, or travel. Often, acute insomnia resolves without any treatment.
Chronic Insomnia
Chronic insomnia is a long-term pattern of difficulty sleeping. It is usually considered chronic if a person has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at least three nights per week for three months or longer. Some people with chronic insomnia have a long-standing history of difficulty sleeping. Chronic insomnia has many causes.
Comorbid Insomnia
Insomnia occurs with another condition. Psychiatric symptoms — such as anxiety and depression — are known to be associated with changes in sleep. Certain medical conditions can cause insomnia or make a person uncomfortable at night (as in the case of arthritis or back pain, which may make it hard to sleep.
Onset Insomnia
Difficulty falling asleep at the beginning of the night.
Maintenance Insomnia
The inability to stay asleep. People with maintenance insomnia wake up during the night and have difficulty returning to sleep.
