How To Treat Insomnia
Do you have trouble getting to sleep at night? Do you find yourself lying awake in bed feeling anxious or a sense of dread? Perhaps this routine has gotten to a point where it’s become pervasive, and it’s starting to impact your ability to function and live a normal life.
If you're struggling to get the rest you need or you are having trouble managing fatigue levels, our insomnia treatment therapists based in Durham, NC, are well-versed in addressing a variety of issues relating to this condition. The good news is, you don’t have to be local to benefit! Insomnia treatment can easily be offered online through TeleHealth, right across North Carolina and other PSYPACT states.
What is insomnia?
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Insomnia also includes waking up too early during the night. The symptoms of this condition tend to get worse over time, with insomnia affecting approximately one-third of adults and children at some point in their lives. In fact, it's estimated that 10% of the US population suffers from chronic sleep problems.
The most common form of insomnia is called primary insomnia. If you have no history of sleeping issues but you’ve suddenly found yourself having trouble falling asleep or maintaining it, then there’s a good chance you’re experiencing primary insomnia. If you tend to wake up mid-sleep and struggle to receive the restorative rest you need, our therapists can help. If you’ve been experiencing this insomnia for longer than three weeks, it’s definitely time to speak with our experienced professionals.
Other types of insomnia include:
- Secondary: Occurs as a result of another health issue you may be experiencing, such as depression, caffeine use or physical pain.
- Parasomnia: Do you find yourself drifting off to sleep, only to suddenly jolt yourself awake with an unprompted kick of the leg? The occurrence of undesirable movements (e.g., restless leg syndrome, walking) or speech during sleep are a symptom of parasomnia. Such sleep difficulties often need to be diagnosed with a sleep study.
- Circadian rhythm disorder: Your body clock doesn’t match the timing of light and dark cycles, therefore you are alert when you are trying to sleep. This can occur after repeated sleep deprivation or shift work, for example.
Sleep can change your life
Sleep is the foundation of our emotional wellness. If you suffer from chronic sleeplessness and you report feeling tired all the time, you’re probably finding that you’re more irritable, moody, depressed and anxious than before the insomnia started - perhaps even suicidal. If you’re struggling to concentrate and remember things clearly due to your insomnia, it’s time to speak with our insomnia treating therapists.
Prolonged problems with sleep can continue to deteriorate cognitive function and also impact metabolic, endocrine, and immune functioning.
Insomnia treatment options in Durham, throughout NC and other PSYPACT states
You do not need to start with medications to see if your sleep can improve! Our therapists can help assess some of your sleep problems, identify if additional referrals would be useful (e.g. for a sleep study), and help you examine if there is anything you may be doing that is getting in your way.
There are several different ways to carry out insomnia treatment. Your doctor might recommend medication if he/she believes that lifestyle changes aren't enough. However, at our Durham clinic, we provide holistic therapy for insomnia using a range of psychotherapy solutions, including cognitive-behavioral strategies.
Together, we will examine why you may be struggling to fall or stay asleep, and provide you with tools to track what is happening in your sleep patterns. We will then teach you skills to improve sleep consistency. This can initially be hard work, but it is also highly effective! We will also help you to establish better sleep hygiene, including:
Scheduled bedtimes
Reduce or eliminate napping
Minimize time spent in bed when you are not sleeping
Optimize your sleep environment
Improve eating habits and timing
Ready to seek out insomnia treatment options in Durham, NC? Book a consultation with our therapists now. We'll discuss your options, go through your concerns and answer any questions you may have.
Your sleep is the foundation of your health. To contact us please complete the form here.
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