Chronic insomnia is almost invariably linked with feeling overtired. Additionally, it often co-occurs with symptoms of depression, indicating a strong association between long-term sleep difficulties and mood disorders.

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Insomnia, the most prevalent sleep disorder, is characterized by a persistent difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep. Individuals with this condition often experience significant delays before falling asleep and may wake up frequently during the night, struggling to resume sleep. According to diagnostic criteria, these sleep disturbances must occur at least three nights a week for a minimum of one month.

Insomnia

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

- Stimulants
- Antidepressants
- Corticosteroids
- Beta agonists
- Antiparkinsonian agents

Drugs that induce insomnia:

- Trouble falling asleep
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Waking up too early
- Poor quality of sleep overall

Symptoms of insomnia

- sleep-onset insomnia
- sleep-maintenance insomnia

Kinds of Insomnia

The metacognitive model of insomnia posits that the hyperarousal experienced during insomnia can be split into two areas. The first area is primary arousal, which includes the cognitive activities related to ones inability to fall asleep. The second area is secondary arousal, which refers to one’s relationship with their thoughts about sleep. 

Metacognitve Model of Insomnia

For a clinical diagnosis of insomnia, the characteristic difficulties with falling or staying asleep must meet specific frequency and duration thresholds. The symptoms are required to be present for at least three nights per week and must persist for a minimum of one month.

Diagnostic Criteria for Insomnia (Frequency and Duration)

A common issue for those with insomnia is developing anxiety about their inability to sleep. This anxiety increases physiological arousal, which in turn makes falling asleep more difficult, thereby reinforcing the anxiety and creating a self-perpetuating cycle.

Self-Perpetuating Cycle of Insomnia and Anxiety

Association Between Chronic Insomnia, Fatigue, and Depression

A variety of factors can contribute to the development of insomnia. These include an individual's age, use of certain drugs, amount of physical exercise, mental state, and established bedtime routines.

Factors Contributing to Insomnia

For many college students, the inability to get the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep nightly is not a result of lifestyle choices like partying or studying late. Instead, it often stems from feeling overwhelmed and stressed, which directly interferes with their ability to fall asleep or stay asleep.

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