Insomnia

Having trouble sleeping? Do you wake up frequently during the night? You may have insomnia. If you do not already know, insomnia is psychiatric disorder characterized by the difficulty of falling asleep or the inability to stay asleep long enough for your body to cycle through all four stages of sleep. The disorder can range from acute to chronic, and can greatly affect daily life and brain functioning.

When you enter sleep, your body is in a nearly unconscious state, with suspended sensory and motor activity. The main fact about sleep is that it allows your body to rejuvenate both physically and mentally--as long as you have an optimal eight hours or sleep per day.

Here are some symptoms of insomnia:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up frequently during the night
• Difficulty returning to sleep
• Waking up too early in the morning
• Irritability
• Daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating

There are several causes for insomnia, with stress being one of the most prevalent. Treatment can be sought through medication or cognitive behavior therapy.