Insomnia

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Insomnia is a common side effect of mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. If you spend several nights a week tossing and turning and suffer from symptoms like daytime fatigue, poor concentration, or irritability, contact patient-focused psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) Dominique Sanders, PhD, PMHNP, at Raelin Bright Wellness. The practice welcomes patients in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada, Phoenix, Tuscon, Arizona, Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, California, so arrange your telepsychiatry appointment online or call the office today to address the cause of your insomnia. 

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult for you to fall or stay asleep, which leads to sleep deprivation or lack of sleep. Insomnia is usually classified as either acute or chronic.

Acute insomnia is common and affects almost everyone occasionally. Your sleeplessness lasts for a night or two and is often related to something stressful in your life, such as a challenging project at work or school or receiving bad news.

Chronic insomnia, on the other hand, is characterized by disrupted sleep several nights a week for at least three months. Chronic insomnia has many potential causes, ranging from lifestyle factors like shift work and poor sleep hygiene to other clinical disorders and medications.

How can I tell if I have insomnia?

Everyone experiences insomnia slightly differently. You may be aware that you can’t fall asleep and lie in bed, frustrated, counting sheep, listening to meditation podcasts, and trying just about anything to drift off. 

Or maybe you wake up throughout the night and don’t know it but feel groggy and unrested. You probably experience symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, poor concentration, and performance issues at work. 

If this sounds like you, contact Raelin Bright Wellness today to schedule a telemedicine consultation.

What causes insomnia?

Approximately half of insomnia diagnoses are related to mental health disorders like depression or anxiety. Depression can cause you to wake up early, which exacerbates other depression symptoms such as low energy, poor concentration, and changes to your appetite and weight.

Anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder can make it difficult to fall asleep because your mind is racing. Many people with panic disorder wake up in the middle of the night because of panic attacks.

If your insomnia is due to other medical issues or lifestyle factors, the lack of sleep can trigger symptoms of depression and anxiety or could lead to substance use disorders if you try to self-medicate to get to sleep.

How is insomnia treated?

At Raelin Bright Wellness, Dominique and the team of mental health professionals focus treatment for insomnia on the root cause. The therapists work closely with each patient to explore and treat the underlying cause of insomnia, be it medical, anxiety, or stress-related. 

They advise on improving your sleep hygiene, including bedtime routines, and removing distractions like televisions, computers, and phones from your bedroom. They also teach you various relaxation techniques to help you relax your mind and put you to sleep.

If you’re experiencing insomnia symptoms, contact Raelin Bright Wellness by phone or online to schedule your telemedicine consultation.