How insomnia is treated

Insomnia can be connected with stress, anxiety, low mood, pain, reflux, breathing problems, shift work, travel or a medicine. Worrying about sleep can also keep the body alert at bedtime. Finding the pattern matters because treating an underlying problem may be more useful than adding a sedative.

A sleep diary can show time in bed, sleep interruptions, naps, caffeine and daytime effects. Mention snoring, gasping, restless legs and changes in mood to the clinician assessing you.

Keep a stable wake time, seek daylight early in the day and use a calming wind-down routine. Go to bed when sleepy, leave the bed for a quiet activity if you become fully awake, and return when drowsy. Limit late caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, long naps and stimulating screen use.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is a structured option that addresses sleep timing, habits and unhelpful worry. Medicines may have a place for some people, but a prescriber should choose them after considering health conditions, pregnancy, interactions and next-day alertness.

Make an appointment if insomnia persists, returns often or interferes with concentration, mood, work or driving. Seek prompt help for severe low mood, thoughts of self-harm, confusion, chest pain, major breathing difficulty or unusually high energy with very little sleep.

What factors may be keeping me awake? Would behavioural therapy or a sleep assessment help? Could my current medicines or symptoms point to another condition? How can I improve sleep without impairing alertness the next day?