InsomniaAyça GÜZEY1803568PSYC 374

Outline•Definition and Symptoms of Insomnia•Types of Insomnia•The Causes of Insomnia•The Risk Group•The Prevention Methods•The Treatment Methods for Insomnia

Definition of Insomnia

• Defining basically as inadequate sleep ( Kalat, 2009)• Leading to trouble falling asleep, staying

asleep, or waking too early• resulting in daytime impairment (Punnoose,

Golub& Burke, 2012)

Types of Insomnia

•Transient Insomnia▫Lasting less than 1 month

•Short-term Insomnia▫Lasting between 1 and 6 months

•Chronic Insomnia▫Lasting more than 6 months

Types of Insomnia

•Primary Insomnia: ▫occuring without another co-existing disease.

•Comorbid Insomnia:▫ occuring with another medical or psychiatric condition

relatedly▫Not be caused by co-existing disorder▫Having negative effect on the treatment of another disorder

Depression and insomnia

Causes of Insomnia

•Biological factors:▫Chronic pain such as headache disorder▫Difficulty in breathing such as asthma and sleep

apnea▫Psychiatric disorders▫Restless legs syndrome▫Dementia

Causes of Insomnia

•Biological factors:▫Some medications and substances:

Caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol Some medications for asthma

Causes of Insomnia

•Environmental factors:▫Conditioned arousal: bed and bedroom become

unconscious cue for arousal because of past experiences

▫Trying too hard: spending time in bed when cannot sleep

▫Worrying: because of having difficulty in sleeping, people may become worry

Risk Group for Insomnia

• “Night owls” who do not have a regular wake time

•People with genetic predisposition are also more likely to develop insomnia. Twin studies show that genetics plays a role in insomnia.

•Women are twice as likely to experience insomnia as men.

•Older adults are more likely to experience insomnia.

Prevention Methods

•Going to sleep and getting up at the same time

•If you are having a hard time falling asleep, leave the bedroom and engage in some activities such as reading a book until you feel sleepy

•Avoiding drinking caffeinated beverages during the 8 hours before your bedtime.

Prevention Methods

•Not eating heavy meals immediately before sleep and drinking alcohol close to bedtime.

•Desining calming environment when going to sleep

•Do not exercise before bedtime

Treatments for Insomnia

•In comorbid insomnia: treating associated disorder

•Cognitive behavioral therapy: modifying sleep behaviors and exploring your attitudes toward and thoughts about sleep

•Prescription medication for short period of time

Reference List

•Kalat, J. W. (2009). Biological Psychology (pp. 275-276). Belmont: Wadsworth.

•Punnoose, A. R., Golub, R. M. & Burke, A. E. (2012). Insomnia. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 307 (24).

Doi:10.1001/jama.2012.6219• Insomnia (n.d.). Standford Hospital and Clinics.

Retrieved from:http://stanfordhospital.org/clinicsmedServices/clinics/sleep/sleep_disorders/insomnia.html#type