Insomnia is a frustrating condition. Lying in bed, the stress of being unable to sleep compounds as the hours tick by. While most of us experience occasional bouts of insomnia that we quickly bounce back from, those who struggle with persistent insomnia can be left feeling helpless.
If you are suffering from insomnia, know that you can achieve a full, restful night’s sleep.
Many things can trigger insomnia, and a holistic approach to treatment will give you the greatest chance of success.
With many possible causes, insomnia requires an approach that comes at the problem from all angles.
Our multi-disciplinary team can quickly assess the severity of your insomnia and guide you towards the best treatment plan for your condition. Whether you require clinical treatment, mental health support, or simply need to adjust your lifestyle, our team of experts provides ongoing care throughout your journey.
Our goal is to address the root cause of your insomnia to provide long-term relief.
Our Treatment ApproachInsomnia is a common sleeping disorder where a person struggles to get to sleep, can’t maintain sleep, and/or wakes frequently during the night. Bouts of insomnia can be temporary or persistent. Sufferers of insomnia not only feel physically drained but also experience mental fatigue, mood swings, poor work performance, and decreased quality of life. Around 45% of New Zealand adults report experiencing insomnia symptoms at least once a week.
Most people experience bouts of temporary (acute) insomnia, which can last just a few days or several days. More severe (chronic) insomnia can last months or years. The causes of acute and chronic insomnia vary.
Acute insomnia is often caused by temporary stresses or changes in your lifestyle. Common causes of acute insomnia include:
Chronic insomnia can be caused by underlying medical conditions, psychiatric disorders, poor sleep hygiene, or other sleep disorders.
Temporary insomnia can often be alleviated through simple lifestyle adjustments and good sleep hygiene. Recommendations for rediscovering a good night’s sleep include:
Treatment for chronic insomnia varies depending on whether it has been triggered by a medical condition, a psychiatric condition, or a sleep disorder. There are often multiple factors contributing to chronic insomnia, so it is important to get a comprehensive diagnosis. One of the most successful treatments for chronic insomnia is cognitive behavioral therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) instigates changing behaviors that are preventing you from sleeping. Using methods such as stimulus control, CBT-I can remove frustration and anxiety around not falling asleep. CBT-I also includes relaxation training and sleep hygiene training to make bedtime a relaxing, pleasant experience.
If you are worried about your insomnia, make an appointment to see our sleep specialist.
If you want to learn how your insomnia is affecting you and what treatments can help, take our sleep test.
Auckland Sleep provides a multi-faceted approach to treating sleep disorders. Our goal is to provide the best possible sleep treatments, accessible to everyone in the community.