This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Insomnia is persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early, leaving you tired and irritable by day. Stress, irregular schedules, late screens and stimulants are the usual drivers. Lasting fixes come from retraining sleep habits rather than from sleeping tablets.
Symptoms
Taking longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep
Waking repeatedly during the night
Waking too early and unable to return to sleep
Daytime tiredness or irritability
Poor concentration and memory
Worrying about sleep itself
Causes & risk factors
Stress, anxiety or depression
Irregular sleep schedule and late-night screen use
Caffeine, energy drinks, nicotine or alcohol
Noisy or hot sleeping environment, shift work
Pain or other medical conditions
Treatment & self-care
Keep a fixed wake time, reserve the bed for sleep, avoid screens and caffeine in the evening, and get out of bed briefly if not asleep within 20 minutes — these behavioural changes (CBT for insomnia) outperform tablets long-term. Address underlying stress, anxiety or pain with a professional. Sleeping tablets, if ever used, should be short-term and doctor-prescribed only.
See a doctor urgently if
Insomnia persisting beyond a month despite good sleep habits
Loud snoring with pauses in breathing
Falling asleep while driving or working
Low mood or anxiety accompanying the sleeplessness
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Insomnia?
Early signs often include taking longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep, waking repeatedly during the night, waking too early and unable to return to sleep. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Insomnia be treated?
Keep a fixed wake time, reserve the bed for sleep, avoid screens and caffeine in the evening, and get out of bed briefly if not asleep within 20 minutes — these behavioural changes (CBT for insomnia) outperform tablets long-term. Address underlying stress, anxiety or pain with a professional. Sleeping tablets, if ever used, should be short-term and doctor-prescribed only.
When should I see a doctor about Insomnia?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: insomnia persisting beyond a month despite good sleep habits; loud snoring with pauses in breathing; falling asleep while driving or working; low mood or anxiety accompanying the sleeplessness.