Primary symptoms of insomnia will involve at least one of the following, for at least 3 months duration:
- difficulty falling asleep
- challenges maintaining sleep
- inability to fall back asleep after an early-morning wake up
These three symptoms define an insomnia diagnosis, regardless of type. How those symptoms manifest in your daily life is often unique.
You may experience:
- daytime sleepiness
- fatigue
- irritability
- mood fluctuations
- declining work or school performance
- difficulty concentrating
- lack of focus
- memory lapses
- erratic sleep schedules
- excessive napping
- spending more time in bed
- preoccupation with being unable to sleep
- decreased energy
- anxiety
- depression
- emotional reactivity
- muscle pain
- headache
- gastrointestinal upset
Several factors can influence how insomnia affects your thoughts and actions. If you’re living with insomnia disorder and major depressive disorder, for example, you may find symptoms of low mood are more prevalent for you.
Not everyone shows symptoms that directly reflect the severity of sleep disturbance. You may experience insomnia for years, most nights of the week, but outwardly show minimal signs to those around you.
All therapists at OCCT have taken post-graduate coursework in CBT-I, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia. It is a highly effective treatment program designed to assist clients with insomnia in restoring a normal sleep-wake which is critical to good mental health.