Counting Sheep? You May Be Suffering From Insomnia

Counting Sheep? You May Be Suffering From Insomnia

Difficulty falling asleep can be caused by a number of things, including staring at your computer or phone screen before bed, racing thoughts or having too much caffeine. However, if difficulty falling asleep occurs three or more nights a week or persists for three months, symptoms may point to chronic insomnia.

Symptoms of chronic insomnia include:

  • Difficulty falling and staying asleep

  • Increased levels of fatigue

  • Unusual irritability toward others

  • Waking up too early

  • Non-refreshing sleep

If you think you might have chronic insomnia, you aren’t alone. Approximately 30 percent of the general population suffers from this condition.

Insomnia is often associated with depression, as a lack of sleep can negatively affect your mood. In fact, people with insomnia are ten times more likely to experience depression.

Making small changes in your daily routine can help you fall asleep better at night, but if you are having trouble sleeping persistently, it may be time to see a sleep specialist. 

Flickr Creative Commons/Tim Green (license)

Flickr Creative Commons/Tim Green (license)

Cheryl Ball