Your doctor may test for insomnia by asking you to complete a sleep diary to track your sleep patterns. Doctors can also administer sleep disorder tests, including insomnia screening questionnaires, mental health exams, a sleep study or polysomnogram, and a sleep-wake pattern assessment called actigraphy.
Insomnia is usually not an isolated physical or mental illness. Insomnia is typically a symptom of another condition such as sleep apnea, depression, or anxiety.
There are many treatments available for insomnia, including:
Insomnia can go away or become more manageable with proper treatment and lifestyle changes. By identifying and treating the underlying causes of insomnia, you can find relief.
Online therapy is an effective treatment for insomnia, especially if the causes of your insomnia are the result of stress or another mental health condition. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) has been shown to improve chronic sleep issues. A therapist trained in CBT can work with you to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts that are getting in the way of obtaining quality sleep. A therapist will also suggest behavioral techniques to support you in developing good sleep habits.