What should you know about effects of insomnia?

Trouble falling asleep, waking often or waking too early can leave you feeling unrefreshed. During the day, this may show as tiredness, slower thinking, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating or changes in patience and mood. Poor sleep can also make work, driving and caring for others harder. Stress, anxiety, low mood, travel across time zones and irregular routines can contribute to sleep difficulty, while worrying about sleep can keep the pattern going.

Keep a regular wake time, make the bedroom dark and comfortable, and use the hour before bed for quiet activities. Limit caffeine late in the day, avoid using alcohol as a sleep aid, and keep phones and other stimulating activities away from bedtime. A sleep diary can record bedtimes, awakenings, naps, medicines and daytime effects. If sleep problems continue, a GP can look for contributing conditions and discuss structured treatment for insomnia.

Arrange a GP consultation when difficulty sleeping is persistent, is affecting your work or safety, or is accompanied by marked low mood, anxiety or daytime sleepiness. Seek urgent help if you feel unable to stay safe, have thoughts of self-harm, or are so sleepy that driving would be unsafe.

Ask whether a medicine, pain, breathing problem, mood change or shift pattern could be disrupting sleep; which treatment is suitable; and how to manage daytime drowsiness safely.