Insomnia encompasses a wide range of sleep disorders, ranging from poor sleep quality to insufficient sleep duration.
Insomnia is generally divided into three types:
• Transient insomnia – occurs when symptoms last from a few days to several weeks.
• Acute insomnia – also known as short-term insomnia. Symptoms persist for several weeks.
• Chronic insomnia – this type lasts for at least several months and, in some cases, even years. Most cases of chronic insomnia are secondary, meaning that they occur as side effects or symptoms of another underlying condition.
Insomnia itself may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Sleep disturbances can impair performance at school and work and may contribute to obesity, anxiety, depression, irritability, concentration difficulties, memory problems, impaired immune system function, and slower reaction times. Insomnia has also been associated with a higher risk of developing chronic diseases.
There are several signs and symptoms associated with insomnia:
• Difficulty falling asleep at night
• Waking up during the night
• Waking up earlier than desired
• Waking up without feeling fully rested or refreshed, accompanied by fatigue and sleepiness throughout the day
• Daytime fatigue or sleepiness
• Irritability, depression, or anxiety
• Poor concentration
• Impaired coordination and an increased number of errors or accidents
• Tension headaches
• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Worry or anxiety about sleep
Lack of sleep may cause additional symptoms.
Some people are more likely to experience insomnia than others. These include:
• Travelers
• Shift workers with frequently changing schedules
• Older adults
• Drug users
• Adolescents and young adult students
• Pregnant women
• Menopausal women
• People with mental health disorders
References:
Kaplan & Sadock: Synopsis of Psychiatry, twelfth edition
Kaplan & Sadock: Pocket Handbook of Clinical Psychiatry, fifth edition;
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders, 1994;
Robert J. Waldinger: Psychiatry for Medical Students, third edition, translated by Anastas Suli.