When you think
of insomnia, you might envision a person tossing and turning in
bed, unable to get to sleep for hours on end. This is an accurate
picture of insomnia, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
There are actually many insomnia symptoms, some of which are logically
linked to common sleep disorders,
and others that are not so obvious.
Insomnia symptoms
come in different combinations for each person. The most common
insomnia symptom is difficulty falling asleep. This usually involves
lying down for an hour or more in an attempt to force sleep to begin
without success. Other insomnia symptoms include: (1) waking up
and having difficulty getting back to sleep; (2) waking up too early
in the morning; and (3) waking up and feeling tired, as if you haven’t
slept enough.
These insomnia
symptoms are the most familiar ones. However, a person can suffer
from insomnia yet not be aware of it because the insomnia symptoms
are subtle. Some of the more confusing insomnia symptoms may include:
Irritability
Drowsiness
Anxiety
Lack of productivity
Poor performance
Memory problems
Depression
Chronic illness
Headaches
Excessive need for caffeine,
stimulants, or naps
If you suffer
from any of these insomnia symptoms, it’s advisable to investigate
whether or not you have insomnia and how it may be affecting your
physical, emotional, and mental health. It is possible for insomnia
symptoms and sleep deprivation
effects to escalate from a frustrating problem into a major
health issue.
