If you’re someone who spends most of the night tossing and turning, then you’re definitely not alone. You may find yourself wondering, what IS it? Do I have any of the symptoms? What causes insomnia in the first place?
According to the National Institutes of Health, close to 20% of Americans suffer from some kind of sleep disorder. That’s a lot of people walking around cranky and groggy!
What are the symptoms of insomnia?
People troubled by insomnia experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting back to sleep when they wake up at a very early hour. In other words, these sleep disturbances cause stress and anxiety and make everyday activities like working, remembering, and thinking clearly very challenging. Insomnia also typically causes irritability and fatigue. Persistent insomnia may also be a contributing factor of depression.
What causes insomnia?
Insomnia is a complex condition that is still being studied…so far we do know that there are certain conditions that make people more prone to insomnia:
- Age – people over 60 are more susceptible
- Gender – females, on average, are more susceptible
- A history of depression can make you more susceptible
What are the main culprits of insomnia?
- Jet lag
- Shift work
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Depression
- Stress
- Stimulants like nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol taken too soon before bed
- An overactive thyroid
- Steroid use
- Certain prescription medications (if you’re currently taking any, speak with your doctor about insomnia side effects)
- Restless leg syndrome
- Menopause and hot flashes
- Gastrointestinal conditions, such as heartburn
- Conditions that make it hard to breathe like asthma and sleep apnea
- Chronic pain
As we mentioned, depression is one of the most common causes of chronic insomnia. In these cases, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help. CBT targets the thoughts and actions that are disrupting your sleep night after night. This therapeutic strategy encourages good sleep habits while relieving anxiety.
Some therapists may use a combination of relaxation therapy and biofeedback to reduce anxiety in clients, and others may employ different strategies like breathwork and positive thinking.
In addition, therapists recognize that each client is an individual with individual needs. One-on-one talking therapy will help a therapist determine the specific causes – in some cases, there may be multiple culprits – and put together a comprehensive strategy for relief.
Above all, if you are suffering from insomnia and would like to explore cognitive behavioral therapy, please get in touch with us.
About the author(s)
Karen is the founder and Clinical Director of Cohesive Therapy NYC. She earned a Masters in Social Work from New York University and has extensive training in Hypnosis, Anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brainspotting, and DGBI. She is a member of the Institute of Certified Anxiety Treatment Professionals, The Rome Foundation, the National Association of Social Workers, The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and the American Social of Clinical Hypnosis.