Insomnia

Up to 30 million people have insomnia, making it nearly impossible for them to get a good night’s sleep. At Alamo Premier Mental Health in San Antonio, Texas, the compassionate mental health providers diagnose and treat insomnia and other sleep disorders to help you sleep soundly and wake up refreshed. Schedule an in-person or telehealth insomnia evaluation by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today. 

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder affecting the ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. It’s common, but it can significantly reduce your energy level and overall quality of life. Most adults need 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to feel their best. If you’re not getting the high-quality sleep your body needs, see the experts at Alamo Premier Mental Health for a sleep evaluation.

Which symptoms can insomnia cause?

The following are symptoms of insomnia:

• Problems falling asleep
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Waking up too early
• Waking up during the night
• Feeling tired when you wake up
• Low energy levels
• Mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Frequently worrying about sleep

Insomnia increases the risk of falling asleep during the day, accidents, errors, poor grades at school, low work performance, substance misuse, and more. Your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease may also increase due to a lack of quality sleep over time.

Chronic insomnia lasts for three months or longer. 

What are the risk factors for insomnia?

Examples of insomnia risk factors include:

• Family or personal history of insomnia
• Drinking caffeine or alcohol late in the day 
• Nicotine use
• Shift work
• Changes to your sleep schedule
• Chronic stress
• Trauma
• Eating large meals late at night
• Altered sleep habits
• Taking naps in the afternoon or evening
• Looking at blue light before bed
• Anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Sleep apnea
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
• Aging
• Activity level changes
• Lifestyle changes
• Prostate or bladder problems
• Being female
• Hormonal changes
• Some medications 
• Medical conditions 

Diabetes, chronic pain, cancer, asthma, heart disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may increase your risk of insomnia. So can asthma, arthritis, thyroid disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or Parkinson’s disease.

How is insomnia diagnosed?

Your mental health provider completes a comprehensive evaluation to determine if you have insomnia or another mental health disorder. They discuss your symptoms and lifestyle habits, complete a psychiatric evaluation, and order a sleep study to determine if you have a sleep disorder and how to best address it.

How is insomnia treated?

Treating your insomnia may consist of the following:

• Lifestyle habit changes
• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol late in the day
• Avoiding nicotine
• Not eating large meals before bed
• Not taking afternoon or evening naps
• Creating a regular sleep routine
• Staying active 
• Maintaining an ideal body weight
• Stress management (massage, yoga, tai chi, meditation, acupuncture, etc.)
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Other forms of psychotherapy 
• Dietary supplements
• Light therapy
• Medication management 

If you require medication as part of your insomnia treatment plan, pharmacogenetic testing (DNA-based testing) is available to find the best option for your genetic makeup.

Follow up with your mental health provider to ensure your treatment is effective, and contact the office at any time with questions.

Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation at Alamo Premier Mental Health by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.