What is it? This sleep disorder is also called acute insomnia or short-term insomnia. It disturbs your sleep and is usually caused by a source of stress. The problem often begins very quickly. At other times, it may develop slowly. It does not last for a long time. Normally, it will stop after a few days or a few weeks. At its longest, it will last up to three months. The sleep problem ends when the source of stress is gone or when you adapt to the stress. The stress does not always come from a negative experience. Something positive may happen that makes you too excited to sleep well. Following are some types of stress that can cause adjustment insomnia: Mental Emotional Physical Medical Environmental Specific examples of sources of stress include the following: Conflict in relationships Problems at work New job Financial loss Death of a loved one Illness Moving New sleeping environment The problems with your sleep that the stress causes include the following: You have a hard time falling asleep. You wake up often or for longer periods of time during the night. You are only able to sleep for a short period of time. You do not feel well rested after sleeping. Episodes of adjustment insomnia may come and go over time. This can be due to the same source of stress reappearing. It may also be a reaction to new sources of stress that come along. Adjustment insomnia disturbs your sleep at night. It can also affect you during the day. Daytime symptoms include the following: Anxiety and worry Distracted thoughts Poor concentration Sadness or depression Muscle tension Upset stomach Headaches Sleepiness Irritability Some people may use alcohol, illegal drugs, or medications to try to solve the problem. This will often make the sleep problem worse. Someone with adjustment insomnia may find that it hurts their personal relationships. Problems at work or school may also result. This can be due to both the lack of quality sleep and attempts to cope with this problem. Trying to adjust to the problem can lead to the formation of poor sleep habits. This can result in a more severe and chronic form of insomnia. You may also be at risk of a psychiatric disorder when you have a hard time sleeping under stress.
This sleep disorder is also called acute insomnia or short-term insomnia. It disturbs your sleep and is usually caused by a source of stress. The problem often begins very quickly. At other times, it may develop slowly. It does not last for a long time. Normally, it will stop after a few days or a few weeks. At its longest, it will last up to three months. The sleep problem ends when the source of stress is gone or when you adapt to the stress. The stress does not always come from a negative experience. Something positive may happen that makes you too excited to sleep well.
Following are some types of stress that can cause adjustment insomnia:
Specific examples of sources of stress include the following:
The problems with your sleep that the stress causes include the following:
Episodes of adjustment insomnia may come and go over time. This can be due to the same source of stress reappearing. It may also be a reaction to new sources of stress that come along.
Adjustment insomnia disturbs your sleep at night. It can also affect you during the day. Daytime symptoms include the following:
Some people may use alcohol, illegal drugs, or medications to try to solve the problem. This will often make the sleep problem worse. Someone with adjustment insomnia may find that it hurts their personal relationships. Problems at work or school may also result. This can be due to both the lack of quality sleep and attempts to cope with this problem. Trying to adjust to the problem can lead to the formation of poor sleep habits. This can result in a more severe and chronic form of insomnia. You may also be at risk of a psychiatric disorder when you have a hard time sleeping under stress.
Who gets it? Studies show that 15% to 20% of adults are likely to have it at some point in the year. It can occur at any age. More women have it than men. It is more common in older adults than younger adults and children. People with a prior history of insomnia are more likely to have further episodes. They may have a life-long struggle with sleep during times of stress. People with a history of depression or other mood disorders are more likely to have adjustment insomnia. It can also occur in people with mental disorders.
Studies show that 15% to 20% of adults are likely to have it at some point in the year. It can occur at any age. More women have it than men. It is more common in older adults than younger adults and children. People with a prior history of insomnia are more likely to have further episodes. They may have a life-long struggle with sleep during times of stress. People with a history of depression or other mood disorders are more likely to have adjustment insomnia. It can also occur in people with mental disorders.
How do I know if I have it? First, you need to determine if you might have insomnia by answering the following questions: 1. Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or do you wake up too early or feel unrefreshed after sleeping? 2. For a child, does the child resist going to sleep or sleeping alone? 3. Does this problem occur even though you have the opportunity and the time to get a good night’s sleep? 4. Do you have at least one of the following problems? Low energy Lack of motivation Attention, concentration or memory problems Poor performance at school or work Extreme mood changes Daytime sleepiness Trouble making errors at work or while driving Tension, headaches or stomach aches Frustration or worry about your sleep If you answered yes to these questions, then you might have insomnia. Now continue to see if you might have adjustment insomnia: 1. Is your sleep disturbance temporary and related to a specific source of stress? 2. Does the sleep disturbance end, or is it expected to end, when the source of stress is gone or when you adapt to the stress? 3. Does the sleep disturbance last for less than three months? If you also answered yes to these questions, then you may have adjustment insomnia. It is also important to know if there is something else that is causing your sleep problems. They may be a result of one of the following: Another sleep disorder A medical condition Medication use A mental health disorder Substance abuse
First, you need to determine if you might have insomnia by answering the following questions:
1. Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or do you wake up too early or feel unrefreshed after sleeping? 2. For a child, does the child resist going to sleep or sleeping alone? 3. Does this problem occur even though you have the opportunity and the time to get a good night’s sleep? 4. Do you have at least one of the following problems?
If you answered yes to these questions, then you might have insomnia. Now continue to see if you might have adjustment insomnia:
1. Is your sleep disturbance temporary and related to a specific source of stress? 2. Does the sleep disturbance end, or is it expected to end, when the source of stress is gone or when you adapt to the stress? 3. Does the sleep disturbance last for less than three months? If you also answered yes to these questions, then you may have adjustment insomnia. It is also important to know if there is something else that is causing your sleep problems. They may be a result of one of the following:
Do I need to see a sleep specialist? Talk with a family doctor about your difficulty sleeping. Your doctor or a counselor may be able to help you find ways to deal with the stress that is causing your sleep problem. You may need to see a sleep specialist if you continue to have recurring sleep problems that affect your daily life.
Talk with a family doctor about your difficulty sleeping. Your doctor or a counselor may be able to help you find ways to deal with the stress that is causing your sleep problem. You may need to see a sleep specialist if you continue to have recurring sleep problems that affect your daily life.
What will the doctor need to know? First, the doctor will need to know when your insomnia started. He or she will also want to know what else has been going on in your life. Share with him about any sources of stress that you are dealing with. He will need to know about any other medical problems you have today or had in the past. Be sure to tell the doctor if you are taking any medications. Keep a sleep diary for two weeks. The sleep diary will help the doctor see your sleeping patterns. The sleep diary information gives the doctor clues about what is causing your problem and how to correct it.
First, the doctor will need to know when your insomnia started. He or she will also want to know what else has been going on in your life. Share with him about any sources of stress that you are dealing with. He will need to know about any other medical problems you have today or had in the past. Be sure to tell the doctor if you are taking any medications. Keep a sleep diary for two weeks. The sleep diary will help the doctor see your sleeping patterns. The sleep diary information gives the doctor clues about what is causing your problem and how to correct it.
Will I need to take any tests? Doctors do not need any tests to treat most insomnia patients. A sleep specialist may give you a written test to analyze your mental and emotional well-being. The specialist may need to test your blood in the lab if he or she thinks that you may have a related medical problem.
Doctors do not need any tests to treat most insomnia patients. A sleep specialist may give you a written test to analyze your mental and emotional well-being. The specialist may need to test your blood in the lab if he or she thinks that you may have a related medical problem.
How is it treated? You may need to seek help from a therapist if stress causes a severe and ongoing sleep problem. The doctor may decide that the symptoms need to be treated with medication. Many cases of insomnia will respond to changes that you can make on your own. You can often sleep better by simply following the practices of good sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene consists of basic habits and tips that help you develop a pattern of healthy sleep. There are also easy ways to make your bed and your bedroom more comfortable. See the Resources section of this site to find out how you can start down the path to better sleep. When self-treatment does not work, a doctor can provide help. He or she can teach you different ways to improve your sleep. An example of this is to use relaxation exercises when you go to bed. Your doctor can also help you find ways to take your mind off of sleep. Staying out of bed until you are very, very sleepy is helpful too. These methods are a part of what is known as behavioral therapy. Your doctor also may want to change any medications that you currently take. These drugs may be related to your sleep problems. Many types of medication can help improve your sleep. Some are specifically approved to treat insomnia. These sleeping pills are called hypnotics. Some medications that treat other problems also can help you sleep. Your doctor can decide which one will work best for you. You should only take a medication when supervised by a doctor. New insomnia medications have become available over the past few years. Others are in the process of being developed. Research continues to study how well these treatments work. This research also will help us learn more about the causes of insomnia. Reviewed by Sharon L. Schutte-Rodin, MD Updated May 18, 2006
You may need to seek help from a therapist if stress causes a severe and ongoing sleep problem. The doctor may decide that the symptoms need to be treated with medication. Many cases of insomnia will respond to changes that you can make on your own. You can often sleep better by simply following the practices of good sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene consists of basic habits and tips that help you develop a pattern of healthy sleep. There are also easy ways to make your bed and your bedroom more comfortable. See the Resources section of this site to find out how you can start down the path to better sleep.
When self-treatment does not work, a doctor can provide help. He or she can teach you different ways to improve your sleep. An example of this is to use relaxation exercises when you go to bed. Your doctor can also help you find ways to take your mind off of sleep. Staying out of bed until you are very, very sleepy is helpful too. These methods are a part of what is known as behavioral therapy. Your doctor also may want to change any medications that you currently take. These drugs may be related to your sleep problems. Many types of medication can help improve your sleep. Some are specifically approved to treat insomnia. These sleeping pills are called hypnotics. Some medications that treat other problems also can help you sleep. Your doctor can decide which one will work best for you. You should only take a medication when supervised by a doctor. New insomnia medications have become available over the past few years. Others are in the process of being developed. Research continues to study how well these treatments work. This research also will help us learn more about the causes of insomnia. Reviewed by Sharon L. Schutte-Rodin, MD Updated May 18, 2006
