What Causes Insomnia? 15 Key Culprits

What Causes Insomnia? 15 Key Culprits

If you’re someone who spends most of the night tossing and turning and checking the time on the clock, you’re definitely not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health, close to 20% of Americans suffer from some kind of sleep disorder. That’s a lot of people walking around cranky and groggy!

Symptoms of Insomnia

People troubled by insomnia experience difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting back to sleep when they wake up at a very early hour. Not getting enough sleep can cause stress and anxiety. It also makes every day activities like working, remembering, and even thinking clearly extremely challenging. Additionally, irritability and frustrations can increase when you are experiencing insomnia. Persistent insomnia may also be a contributing factor of depression.

Populations that may be more prone to insomnia

 Age – people over 60 are more susceptible

Gender – females tend to suffer more from insomnia

Depression - those who have struggled with depression may struggle with insomnia

Causes for insomnia may include but is not limited to:

  • Anxiety

  • Grief

  • Depression

  • Stress

  • Exercising close to bedtime has been known to cause difficulties sleeping

  • Chronic pain

    Therapy May Help

Although there are many causes of insomnia the one I want to focus on is depression It is one of the most common causes of insomnia. In these cases, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help pinpoint causes of insomnia. Moreover, understanding the underlying causes of depression can lead to changes which may have a positive impact on sleep.  Anxious thoughts that will not go away can keep someone up most of the night potentially lead to a very unproductive day at work or home. There are different treatments for insomnia that may include a combination of relaxation therapy and other coping strategies.

Therapists recognize that each client is an individual with individual needs. One-on-one talking therapy will help a therapist determine the specific causes of insomnia and in some cases there may be multiple culprits.

If you are suffering from insomnia and would like to explore cognitive behavioral therapy, please get in touch with me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help you get the rest you need.

GeneralBecky Linot