There are various types of insomnia, typically known by duration, cause, or severity. Each type has unique characteristics that can influence treatment. Broadly, insomnia can be acute or chronic.
Getting enough sleep is crucial for both mental and physical health. However, insomnia is a common disorder that can interfere with sleep duration and quality. People with insomnia may have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It can vary in length, from less than a week to over 3 months.
This article delves into the various types of insomnia, categorized by duration, cause, and specific characteristics.
Insomnia can be acute or chronic.
Acute, or short-term, insomnia
Acute, or short-term, insomnia affects approximately
Doctors do not fully understand the exact cause. However, it has associations with higher than normal levels of stress-related chemicals such as cortisol and hyperarousal, where the body and mind are overly alert. Triggers can include a specific event or stressor, such as a job loss or an exam.
Another name for this type is situational insomnia.
Chronic, or long-term, insomnia
Long-term, or chronic, insomnia involves sleep disturbances that occur at least
Unlike the short-term type, long-term insomnia often occurs due to an underlying medical condition or psychological and lifestyle factors. These may include personality traits such as perfectionism or emotional upheaval from life events.
Long-term insomnia can significantly impair an individual’s daily functioning and overall quality of life. Healthcare professionals may recommend treatment for chronic insomnia.
There are
Healthcare professionals classify insomnia by cause, which can include a variety of biological, psychological, and social factors. These factors often result in an inadequate amount of sleep, even though a person has the opportunity to get a full night of sleep.
Primary insomnia
Primary insomnia is a type of insomnia that does not directly link to any medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause. Individuals with this type experience sleep difficulties as an isolated issue rather than a symptom of another disorder.
The exact causes of primary insomnia are not always clear, but factors such as stress and overactive brain activity at night often play a role. This type of insomnia can be either short term or long term. It may require treatment depending on its severity and effect on daily life.
Secondary, or comorbid, insomnia
Comorbid, or secondary, insomnia occurs alongside another medical or psychiatric condition. It has associations with the following:
Treatment usually involves managing the underlying condition and other interventions that can help a person sleep better.
Although it is
Sleep onset insomnia
Sleep onset insomnia is a type of insomnia in which a person has difficulty initiating or falling asleep. Individuals with this type may lie awake for extended periods before finally drifting off to sleep. This can be particularly frustrating, as it often leads to insufficient sleep and daytime fatigue.
This type of insomnia often has links to anxiety, stress, or an overactive mind at bedtime.
Treatment may involve:
- relaxation techniques
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- medications that help induce sleep
Paradoxical insomnia
Paradoxical insomnia is a condition where people believe they have insomnia, even though they are actually sleeping normally. They might misremember being awake or perceive their sleep as being insufficient. This can lead to anxiety and further sleep disturbances.
Individuals typically do not experience other symptoms of insomnia, such as daytime fatigue. Treatment may include CBT to help correct misperceptions about sleep.
Another name for this type of insomnia is sleep state misperception.
Sleep maintenance insomnia
Sleep maintenance insomnia is when an individual has difficulty staying asleep. This often includes waking up frequently during the night or waking up too early and struggling to fall back asleep. It can affect how much sleep a person gets and their sleep quality.
Underlying medical conditions, such as sleep apnea, as well as psychological factors, often have associations with sleep maintenance insomnia.
Treatment may involve addressing the underlying condition and implementing sleep hygiene practices to promote continuous and restorative sleep.
Another name for this type of insomnia is middle insomnia.
Mixed insomnia
Mixed insomnia is a type of insomnia that combines aspects of both sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia.
Individuals with mixed insomnia may have difficulty falling asleep initially and staying asleep throughout the night. This combination can result in fragmented and low quality sleep.
Mixed insomnia often requires a comprehensive treatment approach, addressing both sleep initiation and maintenance.
In this section, we answer some commonly asked questions about types of insomnia.
What is the most common type of insomnia?
The most common type of insomnia is short-term insomnia, affecting up to
What are 5 insomnia symptoms?
Five common symptoms of insomnia include:
- difficulty falling asleep
- waking up frequently during the night
- waking up too early and being unable to return to sleep
- feeling tired, sleepy, or irritable during the day
- difficulty concentrating
What is primary insomnia vs insomnia?
Primary insomnia refers to sleep difficulties that do not link to any other health condition. General insomnia can refer to any sleep disturbance more broadly. Insomnia can have primary causes or associations with other conditions (known as comorbid insomnia).
Insomnia is a sleep disorder, and various types exist, each differing in duration, cause, and specific characteristics. Medical professionals usually classify insomnia as acute or chronic based on how long a person experiences symptoms.
Regardless of the type, seeking appropriate intervention for insomnia can greatly improve sleep quality and overall well-being.
As insomnia can significantly impact daily life, recognizing the symptoms and stages of this disorder is the first step toward regaining restful, restorative sleep.