Many people have difficulty falling asleep every now and then. In fact, it’s so common that approximately 50 percent of adults experience occasional insomnia, according to the Cleveland Health Clinic. And according to the CDC, about 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems. But how do you know what type of insomnia you have? According to experts, there are several different types of insomnia, ranging from the occasional bout of jet lag to chronic insomnia, and each type requires a different treatment.
If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep, here are 6 different types of insomnia that could potentially be at the root of the issue, and what to do to help treat them.
Acute insomnia
Acute insomnia, otherwise known as short-term insomnia, is the most common type of insomnia. It usually lasts anywhere from a few days to several weeks, and often occurs during periods of stress and immense change. Nicknamed ‘adjustment insomnia,’ it tends to happen during a big life change, such as the death of a loved one or starting a new job. There are also several other factors that can cause acute insomnia and disrupt your sleep including:
- Environmental factors, such as any noise, light, or the bed itself
- Physical discomfort
- Medication side-effects
- Illness
- Jetlag
For acute insomnia, try an over-the-counter sleep medication or some sleep relaxation techniques to help you relax your mind. If the problem persists, consider contacting a medical professional for additional treatment.
Chronic insomnia
Unlike acute insomnia, insomnia is considered chronic when you have difficulty falling asleep at least 3 days a week for one month. According to the Cleveland Health Clinic, about 10 to 15% of adults report having chronic insomnia. There are two types of chronic insomnia: idiopathic and secondary. In cases of idiopathic insomnia, there is no identifiable cause; whereas cases of secondary insomnia usually occur alongside another underlying health issue.
There are many potential causes of chronic insomnia, including:
- Chronic medical conditions, such as Parkinson’s, diabetes, or sleep apnea
- Mental illness, such as depression or anxiety
- Medication side effects
- Caffeine and other stimulants
- Lifestyle factors, such as frequent jet lag and napping
Onset Insomnia
Onset insomnia specifically deals with the difficulty of initially falling asleep. This condition can be either acute or chronic.
In many cases, psychological or psychiatric issues, such as anxiety and depression, are the cause behind this condition. And according to a 2009 study, people with chronic onset insomnia often have another sleep disorder, such as restless leg syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder. Dietary factors, such as caffeine consumption, can also impact this condition.
Maintenance Insomnia
Maintenance insomnia refers to difficulties staying asleep, waking up too early, or having trouble going back to sleep. This type of insomnia goes hand-in-hand with mental illness, as it causes anxiety about not being able to fall back asleep or not getting enough sleep, resulting in a never-ending cycle of sleep troubles.
There are several causes for this type of insomnia, which include:
- Mental illness, such as depression or anxiety
- gastroesophageal reflux disease
- sleep apnea
- asthma and other respiratory conditions
- restless leg syndrome
- periodic limb movement disorder
Behavioral insomnia of childhood (BIC)
This type of insomnia impacts about a quarter of children, and is divided into three different sub-categories:
- BIC sleep-onset: This type results from negative associations with sleep due to past experiences
- BIC limit-setting: This type of BIC involves a child’s refusal to go to bed and repeated attempts to put off going to sleep.
- BIC combined type: This form is a combination of the other two subtypes of BIC.
Treating Insomnia
Depending on the type of insomnia, the treatment for each particular case varies. Sometimes, over-the-counter sleep medications or by therapeutic techniques to manage your stress. In other cases, effective treatment may require addressing another underlying health issue that is disrupting your sleep. Your doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in order to fully address your insomnia, as this method has proven to be more effective than medication in certain situations.
