Insomnia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments

Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 1 Aug 2026

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics

Synopsis

Learn how insomnia is defined, its transient, acute, and chronic types, common causes, and the medical, herbal, and lifestyle treatments used to relieve it.

At a Glance

• 1 - Insomnia is 40% more common in women than in men.
• 2 - Valerian has undergone multiple studies and appears to be modestly effective as a herbal sleep aid.
• 3 - A survey of 1.1 million U.S. residents found the lowest mortality rates among people sleeping about seven hours a night.
• 4 - In 2002, 58% of U.S. adults reported insomnia symptoms a few nights a week or more, yet older adults experienced frequent symptoms less often than younger ones.

Topic Definition

Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder marked by ongoing difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting sleep that feels restful, even when a person has the chance to rest. It can stand on its own as primary insomnia, or it can arise as secondary insomnia tied to another factor such as a health condition, pain, medication, or a substance being used. Doctors generally sort it by duration into transient insomnia lasting days to weeks, acute insomnia running from about three weeks to six months, and chronic insomnia that can persist for years. Because the trouble often traces back to an underlying cause, pinpointing that cause is usually the key to treating it, which is why specialists in sleep medicine play a central role in diagnosis and care.

Overview

Insomnia, or sleeplessness, is a sleep disorder in which there is an inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep as long as desired. Many adults experience insomnia at some point, but some people have long-term (chronic) insomnia. Insomniacs have been known to complain about being unable to close their eyes or "rest their mind" for more than a few minutes at a time. Both organic and non-organic insomnia constitute a sleep disorder. There are two types of insomnia: primary insomnia and secondary insomnia.

• Primary insomnia: Primary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems that are not directly associated with any other health condition or problem.
• Secondary insomnia: Secondary insomnia means that a person is having sleep problems because of something else, such as a health condition (like asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, or heartburn); pain; medication they are taking; or a substance they are using (like alcohol).

A complete diagnosis will differentiate between freestanding primary insomnia, insomnia as secondary to another condition, and primary insomnia comorbid with one or more conditions.

Although there are several degrees of insomnia, three types of insomnia have been clearly identified: transient, acute, and chronic.

• a) Transient insomnia lasts from days to weeks. It can be caused by another disorder, by changes in the sleep environment, by the timing of sleep, severe depression, or by stress. Its consequences - sleepiness and impaired psychomotor performance - are similar to those of sleep deprivation.
• b) Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of between three weeks to six months.
• c) Chronic insomnia lasts for years at a time. It can be caused by another disorder, or it can be a primary disorder. Its effects can vary according to its causes. They might include sleepiness, muscular fatigue, hallucinations, or mental fatigue, but people with chronic insomnia often show increased alertness. Some people that live with this disorder see things as though they were happening in slow motion, whereas moving objects seem to blend. Can cause double vision.

An over-active mind or physical pain may also be the cause. Specialists in sleep medicine are qualified to diagnose the many sleep disorders.

Finding the underlying cause of insomnia is usually necessary to cure it. Insomnia can be common after the loss of a loved one, even years or decades after the death, if they have not gone through the grieving process. Overall, symptoms and the degree of their severity affect each individual differently depending on their mental health, physical condition, and attitude or personality.

A common misperception is that the amount of sleep a person requires decreases as he or she ages. The ability to sleep for long periods, rather than the need for sleep, appears to be lost as people get older. Some elderly insomniacs toss and turn in bed and occasionally fall off the bed at night, diminishing the amount of sleep they receive.

Patients with various disorders including delayed sleep phase syndrome are often misdiagnosed with insomnia. If a patient has trouble getting to sleep, but has normal sleep architecture once asleep, a circadian rhythm disorder is a likely cause.

Insomnia Treatments

In numerous instances, insomnia is caused by another disease, side effects from medications or a psychological problem. It is important to identify or rule out medical and psychological before deciding on the treatment for the insomnia.

Many insomniacs rely on sleeping tablets and other sedatives to get rest. All sedative drugs have the potential of causing psychological dependence, where the individual cannot psychologically accept that they can sleep without drugs.

The antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is widely used in non-prescription sleep aids such as Tylenol PM, with a 50 mg recommended dose mandated by the FDA. In the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other countries, a 50 to 100 mg recommended dose is permitted.

Herbal Remedies

Using aromatherapy, including jasmine oil, lavender oil, Mahabhringaraj and other relaxing essential oils, may also help induce a state of restfulness. Many believe that listening to slow paced music will also help insomniacs fall asleep. Some insomniacs use herbs such as valerian, chamomile, lavender, hops, and passion-flower. Valerian has undergone multiple studies and appears to be modestly effective. Some traditional and anecdotal remedies for insomnia include:

• Drinking warm milk before bedtime.
• Taking a warm bath.
• Exercising vigorously for half an hour in the afternoon.
• Eating a large lunch and then having only a light evening meal at least three hours before bed.
• Avoiding mentally stimulating activities in the evening hours.
• Going to bed at a reasonable hour and getting up early.
• Avoiding exposing the eyes to too much light, especially blue light, a few hours before bedtime.

Insomnia Facts and Statistics

• Insomnia is 40% more common in women than in men.
• A survey of 1.1 million residents in the United States found that those that reported sleeping about 7 hours per night had the lowest rates of mortality, whereas those that slept for fewer than 6 hours or more than 8 hours had higher mortality rates.
• Getting 8.5 or more hours of sleep per night increased the mortality rate by 15%.
• Severe insomnia, sleeping less than 3.5 hours in women and 4.5 hours in men, led to a 15% increase in mortality. (Most of the increase in mortality from severe insomnia was discounted after controlling for comorbid disorders. After controlling for sleep duration and insomnia, use of sleeping pills was also found to be associated with an increased mortality rate)
• The lowest mortality was seen in individuals who slept between six and a half and seven and a half hours per night.
• Sleeping only 4.5 hours per night is associated with very little increase in mortality.
• Mild to moderate insomnia for most people is associated with increased longevity, and severe insomnia is associated only with a minimal effect on mortality.
• The National Sleep Foundation's 2002 Sleep in America poll showed that 58% of adults in the U.S. experienced symptoms of insomnia a few nights a week or more.
• Although insomnia was the most common sleep problem among about one half of older adults (48%), they were less likely to experience frequent symptoms of insomnia than their younger counterparts (45% vs. 62%), and their symptoms were more likely to be associated with medical conditions, according to the poll of adults between the ages of 55 and 84.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can insomnia go away on its own without treatment

Transient insomnia linked to short-term stress or a change in sleep environment often resolves once the trigger passes, but chronic insomnia usually needs its underlying cause identified and addressed before it improves

Is insomnia a disease or a symptom

Insomnia is often a symptom of another sleep disorder or health issue rather than a standalone disease, though primary insomnia can occur on its own without a related medical condition

What lifestyle habits help reduce insomnia

Keeping a regular sleep schedule, exercising earlier in the day, having a lighter evening meal, avoiding mentally stimulating activities at night, and limiting blue light exposure before bed may all support better sleep

Does everyone need eight hours of sleep each night

No, sleep needs vary by person, and research suggests the lowest mortality rates were seen in people sleeping between about six and a half and seven and a half hours per night

What is the difference between insomnia and a circadian rhythm disorder

People with normal sleep once they drift off but trouble getting to sleep may have a circadian rhythm disorder such as delayed sleep phase syndrome, which is sometimes misdiagnosed as insomnia

Are over the counter sleep aids safe for insomnia

Non-prescription aids containing antihistamines like diphenhydramine are widely used, but all sedatives carry a risk of psychological dependence, so it is wise to consult a professional before relying on them

When should someone see a doctor about insomnia

Seeing a sleep medicine specialist is advised when sleep problems persist, interfere with daily functioning, or may stem from an underlying medical or psychological condition that needs proper diagnosis

Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team.

Last updated: 1 Aug 2026