Alternative Names
Psychophysiological insomnia; Learned insomnia; Chronic insomnia; Primary insomnia
Definition of Insomnia
Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, or having nonrefreshing sleep for at least 1 month.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Primary insomnia refers to insomnia that is not caused by any known physical or mental condition.
Signs and tests
Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your current medications, drug use, and medical history. Usually, these are the only methods needed to diagnose insomnia.
Treatment
The following tips can help improve sleep. This is called sleep hygiene.
Expectations (prognosis)
You should be able to sleep if you practice good sleep hygiene. See a doctor if you have chronic insomnia that does not improve.
Review
Andrew Schriber, MD, FCCP, Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 8/17/2009
