Understanding Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder in which a person has difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restful, restorative sleep. This leads to daytime fatigue, low motivation, irritability, and reduced performance at work or school.

Sleep is a vital part of human health and well-being. When your natural sleep rhythm is disturbed, it can affect nearly every aspect of your daily functioning—from your energy and mood to your ability to think clearly. While an occasional restless night may leave you feeling tired or irritable, ongoing sleep disturbances, known as insomnia, can have far-reaching effects on both mental and physical health. More than 40 million Americans experience chronic insomnia each year.

Types of Insomnia

• Transient Insomnia: Sleep difficulties that last less than one month are considered transient insomnia.

• Short-Term Insomnia: When trouble sleeping continues for one to six months, it is classified as short-term insomnia.

• Chronic Insomnia: Ongoing sleep disturbances lasting six months or longer are referred to as chronic insomnia.

How much sleep is enough?

Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night to feel and function their best. While some people believe they can manage on less, long-term sleep deprivation often leads to problems with focus, memory, and overall performance. In fact, studies show that about one-third of adults regularly fail to get adequate sleep.

Medication Options

At Bright Link Psychiatry, our clinicians take the time to thoroughly evaluate each patient to find the most effective approach for improving sleep. Our clinicians specialize in treating sleep disorders and will develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs. It is more than likely over the counter medications are not working. Together, we’ll explore the best medication options to help you achieve restful, consistent sleep and enhance your overall well-being.