What are the symptoms of insomnia?

Someone with insomnia may spend a long time awake in bed, wake several times, or wake before they intend to and struggle to return to sleep. The next day may bring sleepiness, low energy, irritability, headaches, memory problems or difficulty concentrating. Worry about sleep can make bedtime feel tense and keep the cycle going.

Short-lived sleep disruption can follow stress, illness, travel, shift work or a change in routine. Ongoing symptoms may also occur with pain, medicines, breathing problems during sleep, depression or Feeling Anxious, so the wider context matters.

Keep a simple sleep diary for several days, noting bedtime, waking periods, naps, caffeine, alcohol, medicines and how alert you feel. Keep wake time steady, use the bed mainly for sleep, and dim bright screens before bed. Avoid driving or safety-sensitive work if you feel dangerously sleepy.

If symptoms keep affecting work, study, mood or relationships, arrange a Mental Health Assessment or speak with a clinician. Assessment can look for sleep habits, emotional strain and physical causes before a treatment plan is chosen.

Seek prompt advice for severe daytime sleepiness, repeated near-misses while driving, symptoms of depression, panic, unusual periods of high energy with little need for sleep, or suspected breathing pauses at night. Get urgent help if low mood includes thoughts of self-harm or you feel unable to stay safe.

Ask: What might be disturbing my sleep? Could a medicine, mood change or physical symptom contribute? Would a sleep diary or assessment help? Which changes should I try first, and when should I return?