Difficulty falling asleep, waking up at night, waking up too early: insomnia takes several forms and affects many people, occasionally or long-term. Far from being reduced to “sleeping poorly”, it has identifiable causes and effective solutions, which are often unknown. Let's take stock.
1. What is insomnia?
We speak of insomnia when sleep is insufficient or of poor quality despite favorable conditions, with an impact on the day. It can be temporary, linked to an event, or chronic when it persists over time.
2. Multiple causes
| Cause type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Psychological | Stress, anxiety, depression |
| Environmental | Noise, light, screens |
| Habits | Irregular, exciting schedules |
| Medical | Pain, some disorders |
Often, several causes combine. Anxiety linked to sleep itself (the fear of not sleeping) can also lead to insomnia, creating a vicious circle.
3. Effective solutions
The first approach is based on sleep hygiene and, for chronic insomnia, on cognitive-behavioral therapies, recognized as very effective. They act on the habits and thoughts that maintain insomnia, without the disadvantages of addiction.
- Improve your sleep hygiene
- Don't stay in bed ruminating without sleeping
- Consider behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia
4. When to consult
Insomnia that lasts, affects the day or is accompanied by other symptoms warrants consultation. The doctor can find the cause and offer appropriate treatment. Sleeping pills, when used, should be used with caution and on medical advice.
Insomnia can be treated: you should not suffer it in silence. This subject concerns well-being; in the event of associated discomfort, a health professional can assist.
💡 tips to remember
- Insomnia is insufficient or poor quality sleep despite good conditions, with repercussions on the day.
- Its causes are multiple and often combined: stress, environment, bad habits, pain.
- The fear of not sleeping can lead to insomnia: I don't stay in bed ruminating without sleeping.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapies are very effective against chronic insomnia, without risk of addiction.
- Long-lasting insomnia justifies consultation; sleeping pills should only be used with caution and on medical advice.
