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.