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| Insomnia Symptoms | Doctors associate a diversity of signs and symptoms with insomnia. Often, the symptoms interweave with those of other medical or mental conditions.
• People with insomnia may complain of difficulty falling asleep. The trouble may begin with stress. After that, as you begin to associate the bed with your inability to sleep, the problem may become chronic.
• Depression and mental illnesses are often associated with insomnia.
• Most often daytime symptoms will bring people to seek medical attention. Daily problems caused by insomnia include the following:
o Poor concentration and focus
o Difficulty with memory
o Impaired motor coordination
o Irritability and impaired social interaction
o Motor vehicle accidents because of fatigued, sleep-deprived drivers
• People may worsen these daytime symptoms by their own attempts to treat the symptoms.
o In 1995, a Gallup poll said 7.9% of respondents used alcohol to help them sleep. Antihistamines and alcohol may compound the problems with sleep deprivation.
o Others have tried nonprescription sleep aids.
When to Seek Medical Care
• Your insomnia needs a doctor's attention if it lasts longer than 4 weeks or interferes with your daytime activities and ability to function.
• Insomnia may be a symptom of another medical or psychological problem, which you may need to address first or at the same time.
When to go to the hospital
• Generally, you will not be hospitalized for insomnia. Nevertheless, accidents may result from poor coordination and attention lapse seen with sleep deprivation.
• Worsening pain or increased difficulty breathing at night also may indicate your need to seek emergency medical care.
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