Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep, with consequences that extend far beyond simply feeling tired.
​

WHAT IS IT?

​

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, affecting a large proportion of the population at some point in their lives. It is defined as persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep through the night, or waking too early, occurring at least three nights per week and causing meaningful distress or daytime impairment.

Chronic insomnia is closely linked with anxiety and depression, and these conditions frequently reinforce each other such as poor sleep worsens mood, and low mood worsens sleep. Identifying and addressing the underlying drivers of insomnia is therefore essential to recovery, rather than simply treating the symptom with sleeping medication.

​

WHAT MIGHT YOU NOTICE?

​

During the night, you may find yourself lying awake for hours, watching the clock, or waking frequently and struggling to return to sleep. The mind may race with worries, or you may feel physically wired yet utterly exhausted, a maddening combination that many insomnia sufferers recognise immediately.

During the day, poor sleep shows up as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, low mood, impaired memory, and reduced motivation. Over time, worry about sleep itself becomes a source of anxiety, creating a cycle that perpetuates the problem.

​

Common symptoms include:

​

Difficulty falling asleep at bedtime
Frequent waking through the night
Early morning waking and inability to return to sleep
Unrefreshing or non-restorative sleep
Daytime fatigue and low energy
Poor concentration and memory
Irritability and low mood
Anxiety and preoccupation with sleep
Reliance on alcohol or medication to sleep

​

WHICH TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILIBLE?​

​

The most effective treatment for chronic insomnia is not sleeping tablets, it is a psychological approach called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), which addresses the thoughts and behaviours that perpetuate poor sleep. Medication has a role in some cases, but it rarely solves the underlying problem.

​

CBT for Insomnia (CBT-I):  CBT-I is the gold-standard treatment, addressing the thoughts, habits, and conditioned arousal that maintain insomnia. Most people see significant improvement within several weeks.

Sleep Restriction Therapy:  A counterintuitive but highly effective technique that consolidates sleep by temporarily limiting time in bed, rebuilding a healthy relationship between bed and sleep.

Sleep Hygiene:  Practical changes to your sleep environment, routine, and daytime habits (from light exposure and caffeine timing to wind-down routines) can make a meaningful difference.

Medication Where Appropriate:  Short-term medication may be considered alongside psychological treatment in certain circumstances, with careful monitoring and a plan for tapering when the time is right.