We’ve all experienced a restless night or two — tossing, turning, watching the clock tick past midnight. But for many people, insomnia becomes more than an occasional frustration. It can turn into a persistent struggle that affects mood, energy, and overall well-being.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early and being unable to return to sleep. While everyone experiences short-term sleep disruptions at times, chronic insomnia typically occurs at least three nights a week for three months or longer.
The consequences go beyond feeling tired. Insomnia can impair concentration, increase irritability, reduce stress tolerance, and even contribute to anxiety and depression. Over time, the body and mind become trapped in a cycle: stress leads to poor sleep, and poor sleep worsens stress.
Common Causes of Insomnia
Insomnia is rarely caused by one single factor. It often emerges from a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental influences. Common contributors include:
Stress and Anxiety
Worries about work, health, relationships, or daily life can keep the mind racing long after bedtime. Chronic stress activates the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, making it harder to relax enough for sleep.
Depression and Other Mental Health Conditions
Depression can disrupt sleep patterns, sometimes causing early-morning awakening or restless sleep. Similarly, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and generalized anxiety can interfere with normal sleep cycles.
Poor Sleep Habits
Irregular sleep schedules, excessive screen time before bed, caffeine or alcohol late in the day, and using the bed for non-sleep activities (like work or scrolling through your phone) can all disrupt healthy sleep rhythms.
Medical Conditions
Chronic pain, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea, thyroid imbalance, and certain medications can make falling or staying asleep difficult.
Lifestyle Factors
Shift work, jet lag, or frequent changes in daily routine can confuse your body’s internal clock — the circadian rhythm that regulates when you feel sleepy or awake.
In our next blog post, we will examine the various forms of treatment available for Insomnia.
Liza Linder, MSW, LCSW, is a therapist with 30 years of experience serving the LGBTQ+ and PLWHIV communities. Liza is in person only, in our Philadelphia offices. For more information about Liza, please click on the therapist’s bios.