Insomnia

What is insomnia? Do I really have insomnia or am I just sleeping poorly?



Qualified Life Coach
@MariannaKilburn
Ask a question

What is insomnia?

Insomnia falls under the category of sleep disorders rather than sleep problems. It is considered by doctors to be a medical, psychiatric or psychological condition. The term is used to describe a number of conditions. Examples are:

  • When someone experiences poor sleep as a result of a psychological or psychiatric condition such as schizophrenia
  • People who are depressed may suffer from insomnia
  • Insomnia can also occur with no apparent cause – in other words, you don’t have to suffer from any medical, psychiatric or psychological condition to suffer the problem. People suffering from true insomnia with no apparent cause appear to go for weeks with little or no sleep leading to sleep deprivation.

It is clear that these are not health conditions suitable for self-treatment and should be managed by the medical profession.

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

Aside from the obvious sleep difficulties, symptoms of insomnia include:

  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Trouble building or maintaining relationships
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Depression

These may be familiar to those suffering from sleep disorders, but the distinction is in the degree of the problem and symptoms, and whether or not there is an underlying medical, psychological or psychiatric condition.

What treatments are there for insomnia?

If you think you have insomnia, you will need to go to your doctor to have the diagnosis confirmed. Your doctor will be able to work with you to find a treatment that is suitable and effective for you. This may take some time as different treatments work for different people.

Treatments for insomnia overlap with those of sleep disorders. Follow the link to our sleep aids page to find out what is available.

A.Vogel Dormeasan Sleep Valerian-Hops Oral Drops | Sleeping Aid | Extracts of Fresh Valerian Root

15ml

£ 4.99

Buy now

Herbal sleep remedy containing organically grown valerian root and hops. Fresh herb tincture.
More info

What's being asked

I have had a very disturbed sleep pattern lately, but now want to get back in to a good sleep regime. How can I do this?

Observe sleep hygiene tips, and try Dormeasan® Valerian & Hops until your sleep pattern has been ...
Read more >

I keep waking at 3 - 4 am with my heart racing and struggle to get back to sleep. What can I do?

Make sure that you are drinking plenty of plain water during the day. A minimum of 1.5 litres is a ...
Read more >

I currently take pain medication long term but I am having problems sleeping. Is there or can you suggest any products that could be used alongside the medication.

If the sleeping problems are due to the pain or the side effects of the medication then you will ...
Read more >

How well are you sleeping?

Answer 5 simple questions in our sleep test for a brief evaluation and some advice.

Take the sleep test

Here's what I recommend

As the A. Vogel Sleep advisor, I recommend Dormeasan®, a natural sleep remedy made from fresh extracts of Valerian root and Hops.

Learn more

Did you know?

The wrong sleep position can not only negatively impact the quality of your sleep, it can also have an impact your posture, your joints, your digestion and even your face by making wrinkles worse!

Find your perfect sleep position

Healthy & nutritious dinner ideas

Get new recipes in your inbox every week. Sign up now

Can’t Sleep? Take our sleep test for personalised results in under a minute!