Are you one of those people who have a hard time getting a good night’s rest? That must be very exhausting. Being the only one awake at night while everyone else is asleep could be very distressing. It’s a constant struggle when you try to keep your eyes closed while counting sheep in your head and it just doesn’t seem to work. It doesn’t matter if you live alone or with a lot of people, having sleeping difficulties can leave you feeling very lonely.

The Importance of Sleep

In trying to maintain good physical health and a sound emotional wellbeing, having enough sleep is important. One of the best ways to protect your body against the many stresses of everyday life is to get the right amount of sleep. By sleeping seven to nine hours every night, you’re going to feel a whole lot better. It can also give you an alert mind.

Quality sleep night after night is like stashing money in the bank. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, causes you to sink into ‘sleep debt.’ Just as you strive for balance in an accounting balancing sheet, you also want to avoid ‘sleep debt.’ When you have a sleep debt, there is but one way to settle the score to catch up and get enough sleep. Otherwise, it is the former that will catch up on your health, collecting a hefty sum in terms of poor focus and memory, deteriorating health, irritability, reduced immunity, etc.

Knowing the negative effects of not having enough sleep, you begin to realize that a few sleepless nights can become a sleep disorder known as insomnia. If you notice that your sleep troubles are becoming a routine, give it your attention. If sleeplessness starts to become a burden, affecting your functioning, it is a good thing to seek therapy to achieve a truly relaxing and recharging quality sleep.

What Defines Insomnia?

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep concern that is experienced by a significant number of adults. About 30 to 40 percent of the American population is affected by insomnia, says The National Sleep Foundation. It is commonly defined as the failure to gain enough sleep, even if circumstances are favorable, causing a person to feel tired and sleepy during the day. Even though this condition is more common in seniors, insomnia can also happen to adolescents and younger adults.

Insomnia is a term applied to the condition that is characterized by lack of sleep. The condition entails several possible symptoms, such as:

• Difficulty falling and/or going back to sleep
• Restless or fitful sleep
• Commonly waking up in the middle of the night
• Awaking in the wee hours of the morning
• Waking up feeling exhausted

The Many Faces of Insomnia

The duration and the frequency of occurrence differentiate the types of insomnia. Transient insomnia, for example, happens when a symptom occurs for three nights. It is usually triggered by a recent event. On the contrary, acute insomnia is a sleep disorder that is short-term, and often comes and goes. The indicators may appear for a number of weeks, but it typically subsides when the reason for the sleeplessness stop. Triggers can be any of the following:

• Incidence of a serious medical condition or concern
• Emotional and physical issues
• Momentous events in life, such as the passing of a loved one, divorce, motherhood, etc.
• Unfavorable or unsuitable sleep environment
• Effects of medications
• Substance abuse
• Hormonal imbalance (pregnancy, menstruation, menopause)
• Disturbance in circadian rhythm (job shift, jetlag)

Chronic insomnia is a severe type, persisting for months and in some cases, even years. The reasons behind this condition include emotional health issues (bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, depression), great stress, and pain or discomfort at night (GERD, stroke, sleep apnea and many more).

Insomnia may either be primary or secondary. It is known as primary insomnia when it occurs without the presence of other health conditions. If it does or it is a symptom of another condition, it is called secondary insomnia.

Waking Up to the Negative Effects of Insomnia

If you have insomnia, you will likely have difficulty falling and staying asleep. This means ‘counting sheep,’ tossing and turning in your bed, waking up frequently in the middle of the night or at the crack of dawn, as well as not dreaming. Another telltale sign is feeling short-tempered and tired the next day.

Be warned that it is always possible that you may miss the signs or the ‘red flags’ of insomnia, dismissing them as occasional lack of sleep. Unaware that you have a sleep issue may only cause you more profound repercussions and prevent its prompt treatment. Be aware of its possibility and understand the symptoms, as well as the bad effects of insomnia, such as:

• Exhaustion, irritability and unusual daytime sleepiness
• Weight loss and weight gain issues
• Deteriorating immunity
• Blood pressure issue
• Higher risk of serious health issues like diabetes, stroke, heart attack, etc.
• Higher risk of emotional health issues like anxiety and depression
• Increased chronic pain
• Poor focus and attention
• Affected motor function
• Decreased motivation and energy Insomnia is not often talked about because those who experience it believe that it is part of life or it can be easily resolved. This is why it affects a lot of people. Insomnia deserves attention because it is a precursor to many other issues, and it can actually cause you to feel like you are on your own.

The Route to Dreamland

People who have this disorder, especially the chronic type, understand well how it can take a toll on their daily lives. You may feel hopeless and broken. Often, you find it so difficult to sleep that reaching for a sleeping pill seems like the best choice. These medicines may offer temporary relief, but it cannot address it permanently or treat the other symptoms. Sometimes, they can even cause the sleep issue to worsen.

A person with insomnia can have troubles, not only with physical health, but also emotional issues, like anxiety. They often feel apprehension as nightfall comes to mean erratic and elusive sleep and not being able to visit to “dreamland.” Not having the ability to sleep or having insomnia is so frustrating it can become a reason for tension and worry. Even though you have tried everything that can solve sleeplessness, sleep can still elude you. You can still have a hard time breaking away from the cycle.

You don’t need to live with this sleep problem. Do something about it before it affects your energy, mood and overall health. You can begin to seek help and support from a credible therapist independently contracted with Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC to help you overcome this sleep issue. The gold standard when it comes to insomnia treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This is known to be a better and more effective means of treatment than sleeping pills. This is because CBT is without side effects and it offers long-term health effects. For all types of insomnia, this is the first line of therapy.

So, to tuck away insomnia, seek therapy. Find the help you need at Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC. There are many possible reasons for your insomnia. Sometimes, it is due to a cause that you have little power over. The longer you turn a blind eye to the symptoms of this condition, the more difficult it is to resolve. Seek help proactively to stop sleeplessness and get a good night sleep. Call now to schedule an appointment.

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