Overcoming Stress-Induced Insomnia
I've got to get some sleep." It's likely that we've all felt this way when under major stress. Sleep disturbances are
one of the most common symptoms of stress and can be difficult to control. The most common of these disturbances is
stress-induced insomnia.
Insomnia is the perception of inadequate or poor-quality sleep. It can be due to problems falling asleep, early
wakening, waking frequently during the night, unrefreshing sleep, or a combination of these. Contrary to some popular
beliefs, insomnia cannot be defined by the total amount of sleep one gets or how long it takes a person to fall
asleep. Individuals can vary in their need for sleep and in the time required to fall asleep - what constitutes a
refreshing night's sleep for one might be called insomnia for another.
About Sleep Disorders Guide Florence Cardinal notes, "Insomnia is a very common disorder. Nearly everyone suffers
from it at least occasionally. Lots of things can cause a sleepless night like, for example, stress. I receive letter
after letter saying: 'Please help me. I can't sleep!' And, somewhere in the letter, I frequently find a reference to
worry, stress, anxiety - whatever you want to call it."
Insomnia can be particularly devastating because it often leads to a "vicious cycle" of daytime behaviors that worsen
the condition. Persons without adequate sleep experience tiredness, lack of energy, and concentration problems, which
they may attempt to combat by excessive caffeine intake or nicotine use. Insomniacs may be "too tired" to exercise and
take afternoon naps, both of which reduce the ability to fall asleep the following night.
Transient insomnia lasts from one night to a few weeks. Having episodes of transient insomnia that come and go is
known as intermittent insomnia. Chronic, or long-term, insomnia lasts a month or more and occurs most nights. While
insomnia is more likely to occur in females, persons over 60 years of age, and persons who have a history of
depression, anyone can be affected. Transient and intermittent insomnia are particularly related to lifestyle factors
such as increased or unmanageable stress, noise, and environmental changes. Short-term insomnia may also occur as a
side effect of certain medications. Chronic insomnia is more serious and may be caused by or related to a variety of
mental and physical problems including depression, substance abuse, heart or kidney disease, arthritis, chronic pain,
and many others.
While sedative medications may be prescribed by a doctor for severe cases of insomnia, their use is controversial in
management of long-term insomnia. Over-the-counter insomnia remedies are usually not recommended by physicians. The
most accepted treatments for insomnia are behavioral in nature - for example, identifying and reducing behaviors that
worsen the insomnia or learning relaxation techniques. In persons suffering from chronic insomnia, a thorough medical
examination should be carried out to diagnose any underlying problems that may be causing the insomnia.
If you experience short-term, stress-related insomnia, there are some measures you can take to help improve the
quality of your sleep.
CHECK OUT OUR COMPLETE LIST OF MEDICATIONS on the right bar
one of the most common symptoms of stress and can be difficult to control. The most common of these disturbances is
stress-induced insomnia.
Insomnia is the perception of inadequate or poor-quality sleep. It can be due to problems falling asleep, early
wakening, waking frequently during the night, unrefreshing sleep, or a combination of these. Contrary to some popular
beliefs, insomnia cannot be defined by the total amount of sleep one gets or how long it takes a person to fall
asleep. Individuals can vary in their need for sleep and in the time required to fall asleep - what constitutes a
refreshing night's sleep for one might be called insomnia for another.
About Sleep Disorders Guide Florence Cardinal notes, "Insomnia is a very common disorder. Nearly everyone suffers
from it at least occasionally. Lots of things can cause a sleepless night like, for example, stress. I receive letter
after letter saying: 'Please help me. I can't sleep!' And, somewhere in the letter, I frequently find a reference to
worry, stress, anxiety - whatever you want to call it."
Insomnia can be particularly devastating because it often leads to a "vicious cycle" of daytime behaviors that worsen
the condition. Persons without adequate sleep experience tiredness, lack of energy, and concentration problems, which
they may attempt to combat by excessive caffeine intake or nicotine use. Insomniacs may be "too tired" to exercise and
take afternoon naps, both of which reduce the ability to fall asleep the following night.
Transient insomnia lasts from one night to a few weeks. Having episodes of transient insomnia that come and go is
known as intermittent insomnia. Chronic, or long-term, insomnia lasts a month or more and occurs most nights. While
insomnia is more likely to occur in females, persons over 60 years of age, and persons who have a history of
depression, anyone can be affected. Transient and intermittent insomnia are particularly related to lifestyle factors
such as increased or unmanageable stress, noise, and environmental changes. Short-term insomnia may also occur as a
side effect of certain medications. Chronic insomnia is more serious and may be caused by or related to a variety of
mental and physical problems including depression, substance abuse, heart or kidney disease, arthritis, chronic pain,
and many others.
While sedative medications may be prescribed by a doctor for severe cases of insomnia, their use is controversial in
management of long-term insomnia. Over-the-counter insomnia remedies are usually not recommended by physicians. The
most accepted treatments for insomnia are behavioral in nature - for example, identifying and reducing behaviors that
worsen the insomnia or learning relaxation techniques. In persons suffering from chronic insomnia, a thorough medical
examination should be carried out to diagnose any underlying problems that may be causing the insomnia.
If you experience short-term, stress-related insomnia, there are some measures you can take to help improve the
quality of your sleep.
CHECK OUT OUR COMPLETE LIST OF MEDICATIONS on the right bar
