Facts About Insomnia?!
Question: Is it physiological or psychological?
Answers: Is it physiological or psychological?
Insomnia is a condition of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of one or more of the following:
1. difficulty falling asleep
2. waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep
3. waking up too early in the morning
4. unrefreshing sleep
Insomnia can be classified as transient (short term), intermittent (on and off), and chronic (constant). Certain conditions seem to make individuals more likely to experience insomnia. These include:
1. advanced age (insomnia occurs more frequently in those over age 60)
2. female gender
3. a history of depression, including stress, anxiety, or the use of certain medications
4. environmental noise or extreme temperatures
5. sleep/wake schedule problems such as those due to jet lag, shift work or even excessive napping in the afternoon or evening
6. medical issues such as arthritis, kidney disease, heart problems, asthma, sleep apnea, narcolepsy or Parkinson's disease
7. ingesting excessive amounts of caffeine or drinking alcohol / smoking cigarettes before bedtime
Treatment for chronic insomnia consists of:
1. first, diagnosing and treating underlying medical or psychological problems
2. identifying behaviors that may worsen insomnia and stopping (or reducing) them
3. using sleeping pills, if required, although the long-term use of sleeping pills for chronic insomnia is not recommended
4. trying behavioral techniques to improve sleep, such as relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, and reconditioning
It can be either or both.
Both.
it can be both depends on your life
A little of both . Excercise is a cure for insomnia tho. It really works
both, it is mind over matter.
At least three types of insomnia exist: transient, acute, and chronic.
Transient insomnia lasts from one night to a few weeks. Most people occasionally suffer from transient insomnia due to such causes as jet lag or short-term anxiety. If this form of insomnia continues to occur from time to time, the insomnia is classified as intermittent.
Acute insomnia is the inability to consistently sleep well for a period of between three weeks to six months.
Chronic insomnia is regarded as the most serious; persists almost nightly for at least a month.
Insomnia can be caused by:
Psychoactive drugs or stimulants, including certain medication, herbs, caffeine, cocaine, ephedrine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, MDMA, methamphetamine and modafinil
Hormone shifts such as those that precede menstruation and those during menopause
Psychological problems like fear, stress, anxiety, emotional or mental tension, work problems, financial stress, unsatisfactory sex life
Mental Disorders such as clinical depression, bipolar disorder, general anxiety disorder
Disturbances of the circadian rhythm, such as shift work and jet lag can cause an inability to sleep at some times of the day and excessive sleepiness at other times of the day. Jet lag is seen in people who travel through multiple time zones, as the time relative to the rising and setting of the sun no longer coincides with the body's internal concept of it. The insomnia experienced by shift workers is also a circadian rhythm sleep disorder.
Certain neurological disorders, brain lesions, or a history of Traumatic brain injury
Medical conditions such as Hyperthyroidism and Wilson's Syndrome
Abuse of over-the counter or prescription sleep aids can produce Rebound insomnia
Poor sleep hygiene
Parasomnia, which includes a number of disruptive sleep events including nightmares, sleepwalking, violent behavior while sleeping, and REM behavior disorder, in which a person moves his/her physical body in response to events within his/her dreams
a rare genetic condition can cause a prion-based, permanent and eventually fatal form of insomnia called fatal familial insomnia
A common misperception is that the amount of sleep a person requires decreases as he or she ages. The ability to sleep for long periods, rather than the need for sleep, appears to be lost as people get older.
Patients with delayed sleep phase syndrome are often mis-diagnosed with insomnia. If the patient has trouble getting to sleep, but has normal sleep architecture once asleep, a circadian rhythm disorder is a more likely cause.
In many cases, insomnia is caused by another disease or psychological problem. In this case, medical or psychological help may be useful.
[edit] Medications
Many insomniacs rely on sleeping tablets and other sedatives to get rest. All sedative drugs have the potential of causing psychological dependence where the individual cannot psychologically accept that they can sleep without drugs. Certain classes of sedatives such as benzodiazepines and newer nonbenzodiazepine drugs can also cause physical dependence which manifests in withdrawal symptoms if the drug is not carefully titrated down.
In comparing the options, a systematic review found that benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines have similar efficacy which was insignificantly more than for antidepressants.[7] Benzodiazepines had an insignificant tendency for more adverse drug reactions.[7]
[edit] Benzodiazepines
Main article: Benzodiazepine
The most commonly used class of hypnotics prescribed for insomnia are the benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines bind unselectively to the GABAA receptor.[7] This includes drugs such as temazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, flurazepam, nitrazepam and midazolam. These medications can be addictive, especially after taking them over long periods of time.
[edit] Non-benzodiazepines
Main article: Nonbenzodiazepine
Nonbenzodiazepine prescription drugs, including the nonbenzodiazepines zolpidem and zopiclone, are more selective for the GABAA receptor[7] and may have a cleaner side effect profile than the older benzodiazepines; however, there are controversies over whether these non-benzodiazepine drugs are superior to benzodiazepines. These drugs appear to cause both psychological dependence and physical dependence, and can also cause the same memory and cognitive disturbances as the benzodiazepines along with morning sedation.
[edit] Antidepressants
Main article: Antidepressants
Some antidepressants such as mirtazapine, trazodone and doxepin have a sedative effect, and are prescribed off label to treat insomnia. The major drawback of these drugs is that they have antihistaminergic, anticholinergic and antiadrenergic properties which can lead to many side effects. Some also alter sleep architecture.
[edit] Melatonin
Melatonin has proved effective for some insomniacs in regulating the sleep/waking cycle, but lacks definitive data regarding efficacy in the treatment of insomnia. Melatonin agonists, including Ramelteon (Rozerem), seem to lack the potential for abuse and dependence. This class of drugs has a relatively mild side effect profile and lower likelihood of causing morning sedation.
[edit] Antihistamines
The antihistamine diphenhydramine is widely used in nonprescription sleep aids, with a 50 mg recommended dose mandated by the FDA. In the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other countries, a 50 to 100 mg recommended dose is permitted. While it is available over the counter, the effectiveness of these agents may decrease over time and the incidence of next-day sedation is higher than for most of the newer prescription drugs. Dependence does not seem to be an issue with this class of drugs.
[edit] Atypical Antipsychotics
Low doses of certain atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine (Seroquel) are also prescribed for their sedative effect but the danger of neurological and cognitive side effects make these drugs a poor choice to treat insomnia.
[edit] Other Substances
Some insomniacs use herbs such as valerian, chamomile, lavender, hops, and passion-flower. Valerian has undergone multiple studies and appears to be modestly effective.[8][9][10] Cannabis has also been suggested as a very effective treatment for insomnia. [11]
Alcohol may have sedative properties, but the REM sleep suppressing effects of the drug prevent restful, quality sleep.[citation needed] Middle-of-the-night awakenings due to polyuria or other effects from alcohol consumption are common, and hangovers can also lead to morning grogginess.
Insomnia may be a symptom of magnesium deficiency, or lower magnesium levels. A healthy diet containing magnesium, can help to improve sleep in individuals without an adequate intake of magnesium.[12]
Other reports cite the use of an elixir of cider vinegar and honey but the evidence for this is only anecdotal. [13]
[edit] Non-medicinal, Complimentary and Alternative medicine
Recent research has shown that cognitive behavior therapy can be more effective than medication in controlling insomnia [1]. In this therapy, patients are taught improved sleep habits and relieved of counter-productive assumptions about sleep.[14]
Some traditional remedies for insomnia have included drinking warm milk before bedtime, taking a warm bath in the evening; exercising vigorously for half an hour in the afternoon, eating a large lunch and then having only a light evening meal at least three hours before bed, avoiding mentally stimulating activities in the evening hours, and making sure to get up early in the morning and to retire to bed at a reasonable hour.
Using aromatherapy, including jasmine oil, lavender oil, Mahabhringaraj and other relaxing essential oils, may also help induce a state of restfulness. Horlicks is marketed as a sleeping aid.
Many believe that listening to slow paced music will help insomniacs fall asleep. [15]
The more relaxed a person is, the greater the likelihood of getting a good night's sleep. Relaxation techniques such as meditation have been shown to help people sleep. Such techniques can lower stress levels from both the mind and body, which leads to a deeper, more restful sleep.[citation needed]
Traditional Chinese medicine has included treatment for insomnia. A typical approach may utilize acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle analysis, herbology and other techniques, with the goal of resolving the problem at a subtle level.
In the Buddhist tradition, people suffering from insomnia or nightmares may be advised to meditate on "loving-kindness", or metta. This practice of generating a feeling of love and goodwill is claimed to have a soothing and calming effect on the mind and body[16]. This is claimed to stem partly from the creation of relaxing positive thoughts and feelings, and partly from the pacification of negative ones. In the Mett