- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Behavior problems, such as impulsiveness and aggression
When You Should See a Doctor
If you think you might be suffering from insomnia, then you should definitely see your doctor right away. But, first things first, consider keeping a detailed sleep diary for a few weeks as a way to track your sleep patterns, including what time you go to bed every night, how long it takes you to fall asleep, how long you’re able to stay asleep before waking up, and how long it takes you to fall back asleep. This will help you and your doctor identity if there’s a possible sleep disorder.
Treatment
Of course, a sleeping pill may seem like the most obvious solution for treating insomnia; however non-medical treatments can be just as effective. For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy has proven to be very helpful for insomniacs. Behavioral therapy teaches the patients how to control or eliminate worries that keep them awake at night and requires them to keep a consistent sleep schedule. This includes waking up and going to bed at the same time every day and night and cutting out afternoon naps.
No treatment is necessary for acute insomnia.
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Sleep Disorders center for more articles.