Sleep & Insomnia

Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders

According to the American Sleep Association, almost 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder. However, of all the sleep disorders, insomnia is the most common one. Statistics show that at least 30% of Americans experience short-term insomnia, and 10% are diagnosed with long-term insomnia. Unfortunately, not getting enough sleep can interfere with you mentally, emotionally, and even physically and ultimately take a toll on your quality of life. Therefore, if you’re experiencing insomnia or another sleep disorder, it’s important to speak with a doctor and get therapy in San Diego.

 

What is Insomnia?

If you have insomnia, you either have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Some individuals experience acute insomnia, while others have long-term insomnia. Both may come and go. Acute insomnia may last one night to a few weeks, whereas long-term insomnia occurs at least three nights a week for three months or more. No matter which one you’re experiencing, it could cause difficulty in your life.

 

The Symptoms of Insomnia

It’s important to recognize that many people experience sleep issues, but not everyone has insomnia. You may exhibit insomnia-like symptoms at some point in your life, which can make it difficult to tell whether you have true insomnia or just sleeplessness. However, what you don’t want to do here is diagnose yourself. If you’re not sure what’s going on with you, it’s best to speak with a doctor so they can evaluate your health. But some symptoms to pay close attention to include: 

  • Unwanted early morning waking

  • Fatigue

  • Memory impairment

  • Issues with work or school performance

  • Irritability 

  • Lack of motivation

  • Increased accidents

  • Aggressiveness or other behavioral issues 

 

What Causes Insomnia?

While there is no one cause of insomnia, researchers have been able to identify a few factors that put a person at an increased risk of developing this condition. Some of those risk factors include: 

  • Lower socioeconomic status

  • Certain medical issues

  • Alcohol overuse

  • Excessive caffeine consumption 

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Being a light sleeper

  • Stress related to significant life events 

  • Childhood trauma

  • Inconsistent sleep schedule

  • Being a woman

  • Older age

 

What Happens If You Don’t Get Treated for Insomnia?

In order for your body to properly function, you need an adequate amount of sleep. In fact, most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each day. Therefore, if you’re not getting enough rest, your body and brain will have trouble repairing themselves, which causes memory issues and learning difficulties. Unfortunately, that’s not all. Some other complications you might experience include: 

  • Increased risk of high blood pressure, depression, and obesity 

  • Anxiety

  • Slowed reaction time, which can make driving dangerous 

  • Issues focusing

  • Increased fall-risk

Based on the information above, it’s incredibly important to speak with a doctor to get treatment. You should also work with a therapist in San Diego because insomnia can have a significant effect on your mental and emotional health. 

 

Treatment for Insomnia

Having insomnia can interfere with your life, but the good news is that treatment options are available to you. One of the most helpful steps is getting educated on the condition. Many people don’t realize how their lifestyle habits may be causing their insomnia. For instance, drinking caffeinated beverages and using nicotine can make it more challenging to fall asleep and stay asleep. Doctors may also recommend different medications that promote sleep and reduce anxiety. In addition, cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to be very effective in addressing long-term insomnia, so it’s worth it to get therapy in San Diego.

 

Get Therapy in San Diego for Insomnia

If insomnia or another sleep disorder is affecting your life, there are options available to help you get through it. Our team of licensed therapists at Perlman Wellness is ready to give you strategies and tools to propel you forward. You’ll also be glad to know that our therapy sessions are 100% virtual which means you can speak to a trained and experienced therapist from the comforts of your home. So go ahead and schedule an appointment today to see how we can assist you.