Chronic Insomnia

Chronic insomnia, or long-term insomnia, is defined as a person having difficulty sleeping at least three nights a week, for one month or longer. One of the most common causes of this condition is depression. Treatment options for chronic insomnia typically include treating the underlying problem, medication, and certain behavioral techniques.
 

An Introduction to Chronic Insomnia

It is not unusual to have trouble sleeping from time to time. But if you feel that you do not get enough sleep (or enough satisfying sleep), you may have a sleep disorder called insomnia. People with insomnia have one or more of the following:
 
  • Difficulty falling asleep
  • Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
  • Waking up too early in the morning
  • Feeling unrefreshed upon waking.
     
One type of insomnia is called chronic insomnia. Chronic (long-term) insomnia is when a person has insomnia at least three nights a week, for one month or longer.
 

Effects of Chronic Insomnia

Chronic insomnia symptoms can result in problems during the day, including:
 
  • Tiredness
  • Lack of energy
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability.
     

Causes of Chronic Insomnia

One of the most common causes of chronic insomnia is depression.
 
Other medical conditions than can cause chronic insomnia include:
 
Chronic insomnia may also be due to behavioral factors, including:
 
  • Experiencing chronic stress
  • Expecting to have difficulty sleeping and worrying about it
  • Ingesting excessive amounts of caffeine
  • Drinking alcohol before bedtime
  • Smoking cigarettes before bedtime
  • Excessive napping in the afternoon or evening
  • Irregular or continually disrupted sleep/wake schedules, as may occur with shift work.
     
(Chronic Insomnia Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD