There are lots of us who suffer – or will suffer – from Insomnia at some point in our lives. Some of us will know why we are suffering from it whilst others will spend sleepless nights wondering why they cannot sleep.
Insomnia falls into several distinct categories – or patterns – and can affect different people in different ways for a variety of different reasons.
The Patterns of Insomnia
As we have already touched upon Insomnia can be experienced in a variety of different ways and it is important to look at and examine these different manifestations of Insomnia so that you – the potential sufferer of Insomnia – have some idea as to what to look out for.
Onset Insomnia
Onset Insomnia is one of the most common ways in which the sleeping disorder can affect individuals. If you are suffering from an anxiety-based disorder such as depression or stress then you may find that Onset Insomnia is the most likely type of sleep deprivation for you to suffer from.
In essence Onset Insomnia is the inability to sleep full stop – affecting a considerable number of people throughout the United Kingdom. The premise is that the mind is so intent on focusing on the issues that cause these anxiety disorders that the sufferer cannot relax sufficiently to sleep.
Middle of the Night Insomnia
The name really speaks for itself with this particular type of sleep disorder; the sufferer may achieve some level of sleep but when they awaken they will invariably find it difficult if not impossible to return to sleep. Many people simply think that they can manage on less sleep than is necessary but this is not the case and Middle of the Night Insomnia often causes the sufferer to fall asleep during the course of the day when they should not or simply leaves them feeling lethargic.
Middle Insomnia
This type of Insomnia is similar to the aforementioned Middle of the Night Insomnia with the sufferer waking and having difficulty getting back to sleep if at all. In some cases the individual suffering from the problem can get back to sleep but with great difficulty.
Terminal Insomnia
Terminal Insomnia is more often than not waking up early in the morning; particularly if you are suffering from some clinical anxiety disorder such as clinical depression. There is no difficulty as such in getting to sleep but there is a difficulty in maintaining a fitful night’s sleep often – as we have touched upon – waking up several hours before you are supposed to and finding it next to impossible to get back to sleep.
All of these types of Insomnia can leave the sufferer feeling lethargic and run down so it is important where possible to ask your doctor for advice on how best to deal with the situation.
He or she may wish to review your situation on a weekly or bi-weekly basis but will not offer to prescribe you with sleeping pills unless the situation is particularly bad.
There are many different non-medicated Insomnia treatments that you could try, among them:
- Hot milky drinks before bed
- A hot bath
- Lavender Oil sprinkled on your pillow
- Having your partner give you a massage
- Listening to some light music
There are also a number of herbal remedies available on the market as over the counter sleep aids but before you embark on a course of such you should consult with your doctor as to possible side effects which may occur.
Also ask your doctor if he or she can recommend a particular way to achieve sleep without resorting to prescription medication.
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