What are the causes of chronic insomnia?
Insomnia has many possible causes including:
Medical | Underlying medical condition can disturb sleep: chronic pain, nocturnal asthma, heart failure, hormonal changes associated with menopause. Medications used to treat these conditions can also disturb sleep. |
Psychiatric | Depression, anxiety and stress can be associated with sleep problems. People with insomnia are also at increased risk of developing a psychiatric problem. |
Sleep disorder | Sleep apnea, restless legs and other sleep problems can disturb sleep |
Lifestyle habits | Alcohol, caffeine and smoking close to bedtime, poor bedtime routine and other habits can disturb your sleep. |
Some people may be more prone to insomnia than others due to neuro-transmitter differences in their brain. Poor sleep can also become a habit over time.
Example
However if Arjun develops unhealthy habits, he is more likely to develop chronic insomnia
Arjun hears bad news about his father. The stress leads to difficulty sleeping for several nights. When the stress resolves, he should be able to sleep again.
However, if Arjun develops unhealthy habits (listed below), he is more likely to develop chronic insomnia.
Spends more time in bed
(to compensate for not sleeping) | Sleep will become very light |
Drinks alcohol to help him sleep | Alcohol will help him fall asleep, but will cause
night-time awakenings. |
Uses cellphone when he is not able to sleep | Cell phone emits blue light, which suppresses
melatonin (hormone required to fall asleep) |
Smokes when he cannot sleep | Nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant |
Drinks excessive amounts of coffee, tea, soft drinks | These drinks contain caffeine, which
stimulate the brain |
Thinks and worries about sleep | This creates anxiety about sleep |