There are three main classifications of insomnia disorder, understanding these classifications will help determine what causes insomnia in each patient. Knowing which type of insomnia you have also helps determine the best form of treatment. Many patients with chronic insomnia, for example, require more care and may need to try several methods before their sleeplessness is resolved.
- Transient: This is a more common form of insomnia which is usually caused by an inability to relax due to a change in environment, for example if you were to move to a new home or have to spend the night in a hotel.
- Short Term: Lasting no more than three weeks this type of insomnia is typically triggered off because of stress or anxiety brought about by emotionally duress. For example if you were dealing with a stressful divorce or loss of a loved one.
- Chronic: This form of insomnia is much more severe, resulting in at least 3 nights of sleeplessness each week, which lasts for at least a month. Chronic insomnia is split into two forms: Primary, when the individual suffers from no other conditions beyond sleeplessness and Secondary where the sleeplessness is usually the result of medication or emotional and psychiatric disorders.
General Causes of Insomnia
- Stress: Nearly all cases of insomnia break down to this cause. Stress causes anxiety and in turn sleeplessness as the mind and body become more frantic and incapable of relaxation.
- Anxiety: This cause is usually directly linked to stress and is the second leading cause of insomnia. Anxiety sufferers have a mind that is always active ad always pumping adrenaline which keeps the body on alert, preventing sleep and relaxation.
- Medical Issues: Several medical problems may cause insomnia, among these are : Stroke and other forms of heart disease, asthma, sleep apnea, tumors, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Psychological Problems: Mental issues also play a part. If you suffer from one of several forms of mania, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia you’re likely to suffer bouts of insomnia along with them.
- Drugs and Alcohol: Both legal and illegal drugs which act as stimulants preventing sleep. These drugs include: heart and blood medications, ephedrine, cocaine, meth, allergy medications, amphetamines and other stimulants. Caffeine and nicotine also affect the wake/sleep cycle because they too are stimulants. If you drink heavily your body made have become dependent on the hypnotic affect of alcohol on order to fall asleep, without it sleep may seem impossible.
- Menopause: Women going through menopause deal with added stress, mood swings, night sweats and irregular body temperature due to hormonal shifts in the body as the cycle of menstruation comes to an end. These symptoms and the hormonal changes themselves also affect the wake/sleep cycle of the body.
Discussing some of these factors with a doctor may be difficult, but it’s very important to the treatment process. Many insomnia sufferers abuse drugs and alcohol while trying to resolve the disorder, seeking treatment for both is an important first step.
Related posts:
