Insomnia Disorders in Delhi | Sleep Disorder Specialist

Insomnia Disorders

Insomnia Disorder is a diagnosed medical condition in which a person regularly faces difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restful sleep, despite having enough opportunity to sleep. This disorder further leads to the daytime impairment such as fatigue, mood disturbances, poor concentration, or reduced performance at the work/school.

Causes

Insomnia disorder may be primary (no clear cause) or secondary (caused by another condition). Here are some major contributing factors that can cause this disorder:

Psychological & Emotional Causes

Chronic stress
Anxiety disorders
Depression
Trauma or PTSD

Lifestyle & Behavioral Factors

Irregular sleep-wake cycles
Excessive screen time at night
Poor sleep environment (noise, light, uncomfortable bed)
Long daytime naps

Medical Conditions

Chronic pain (arthritis, fibromyalgia)
Asthma or respiratory illness
GERD (acid reflux)
Hyperthyroidism
Neurological diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s)

Medications & Substances

Stimulants (e.g., ADHD medications, some antidepressants)
Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine
Overuse of sleeping pills can backfire (rebound insomnia)

Hormonal Changes

Menstruation
Pregnancy
Menopause (due to hot flashes and night sweats)

Symptoms

To be diagnosed with Insomnia Disorder, the symptoms must be present for at least 3 months, or occurring 3 or more times per week, and cause significant distress.

It’s Key Symptoms are:

Difficulty in falling asleep at night.
Waking up frequently during the night.
Waking up too early and unable to return to sleep.
Feeling still unrefreshed after sleeping.
Daytime fatigue or sleepiness.
Irritability, anxiety, or depression.
Difficulty in concentrating or remembering things.
Worrying about not sleeping.

Diagnosis

Clinical Interview – Doctor asks you about your sleep patterns, duration, habits, stressors, and the medical history.
Sleep Diary – You may be asked to keep a log of sleep and wakeup times for 1–2 weeks.
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) – A short questionnaire that helps you to rate how severe the insomnia is.
Actigraphy – A wearable device to monitor the sleep-wake cycles.
Polysomnography – A sleep study if another disorder (e.g., sleep apnea) is being suspected.

Treatment

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) – First-line treatment:

It helps to correct the negative thoughts and habits about sleep. It includes Stimulus control therapy, Sleep restriction, Relaxation training, and Cognitive restructuring.
CBT-I is as effective as medication short-term, and more effective in the long-term.

Lifestyle and Sleep Hygiene:

Go to bed and try to wake up at the same time every day.
You should avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bed.
Create a dark, quiet, and cool sleeping environment and limit the screen time 1 hour before the bedtime.
Get regular physical exercise (not too close to bedtime).
Avoid heavy meals or fluids late at night.

Medications (for short-term or severe cases):

Used only when CBT-I and lifestyle changes are not enough.
Non-benzodiazepine hypnotics: Zolpidem, Eszopiclone
Melatonin receptor agonists: Ramelteon
Antidepressants (low-dose): Doxepin, Trazodone
Over-the-counter: Melatonin supplements, diphenhydramine (with caution)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can insomnia go away on its own?

Yes, acute insomnia due to stress or a specific event usually goes away in a few days or weeks without treatment.

2. Can Insomnia Disorder be cured?

Yes, especially with CBT-I and behavioral changes. Medications can help short-term, but the real goal is to fix underlying causes and patterns.

3. Do all people with insomnia need sleeping pills?

No, most of the patients improve with CBT-I and healthy sleep habits. Pills should be the last option, and only for short-term relief.

4. Is Insomnia Disorder the same as Sleep Apnea?

No, sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes snoring and choking during sleep and in Insomnia there is a difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep.

5. Does insomnia cause mental health problems?

Yes. Long-term insomnia can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts if left untreated.