Published: 18 Jun 2025

ICD9: 780.52      ICD10: G47.00      ICD11: 7A0Z

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.
It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Key Characteristics of Insomnia:

Difficulty Falling Asleep: Tossing and turning in bed, unable to drift off.
Difficulty Staying Asleep: Waking up frequently during the night and struggling to fall back asleep.
Early Morning Awakening: Waking up earlier than desired and being unable to return to sleep.
Non-Restorative Sleep: Feeling tired, unrefreshed, or not rested after sleeping, even if you slept for what seems like a reasonable amount of time.
Daytime Impairment: Experiencing daytime consequences such as:
Fatigue or tiredness
Difficulty with concentration or memory
Irritability, depression, or anxiety
Increased errors or accidents
Tension headaches
Worrying about sleep

Types of Insomnia:

Acute Insomnia: This is short-term insomnia, often caused by stress, a traumatic event, changes in your sleep schedule, or a temporary illness. It typically lasts for a few days or weeks.

Chronic Insomnia: This is long-term insomnia, lasting for three months or more. It can be caused by underlying medical conditions, mental health disorders, substance use, chronic stress, or poor sleep habits. Sometimes, chronic insomnia has no clear underlying cause.

Causes of Insomnia:

Insomnia can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Stress: Worries about work, school, health, or relationships.
Anxiety: Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and other anxiety conditions.
Depression: Insomnia is a common symptom of depression.
Medical Conditions: Chronic pain, arthritis, heart failure, asthma, overactive thyroid, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea, and other conditions.
Medications: Some medications can interfere with sleep.
Substance Use: Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and other substances can disrupt sleep.
Poor Sleep Habits: Irregular sleep schedules, napping during the day, an uncomfortable sleep environment, and using electronic devices before bed.
Changes in Sleep Schedule: Jet lag, shift work, or changes in your daily routine.
Diet and Eating Habits: Eating too much late in the evening, or eating certain foods that can disrupt sleep.
Aging: Sleep patterns often change with age, and insomnia becomes more common.
Other Sleep Disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and circadian rhythm disorders.

Diagnosis:

A doctor can diagnose insomnia based on a review of your symptoms, medical history, and a physical exam. They may also recommend:

Sleep Diary: Keeping a record of your sleep patterns for a week or two.
Polysomnography (Sleep Study): A test that monitors your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and eye movements while you sleep. (Often used to rule out other sleep disorders).
Actigraphy: Wearing a device that tracks your sleep-wake patterns over a period of time.

Treatment:

Treatment for insomnia depends on the type and cause. Options include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): A type of therapy that helps you change negative thoughts and behaviors that contribute to insomnia. It's considered the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia.
Medications:
Prescription sleep aids (e.g., zolpidem, eszopiclone, temazepam)
Antidepressants (some have sedative effects)
Melatonin receptor agonists (e.g., ramelteon)
Orexin receptor antagonists (e.g., suvorexant)
Good Sleep Hygiene:
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
Creating a relaxing bedtime routine
Making your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed
Getting regular exercise (but not too close to bedtime)
Avoiding daytime naps
Using your bed only for sleep and sex
Getting out of bed if you can't fall asleep after 20 minutes.
Treating Underlying Medical Conditions: Addressing any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to insomnia.

When to See a Doctor:

If insomnia is interfering with your daily life or if you're concerned about your sleep, see a doctor. They can help you determine the cause of your insomnia and recommend the best treatment options for you. It's especially important to seek medical attention if you suspect an underlying medical condition or mental health disorder may be contributing to your sleep problems.