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Insomnia is a sleep problem that can feel like being exhausted but unable to sleep, waking repeatedly during the night, or waking too early and staying awake. It may leave you unrefreshed, mentally foggy, irritable, anxious, low in mood or unusually sleepy the next day. Sleep difficulty that happens at least 3 nights per week and affects daytime functioning may meet the criteria for insomnia. Chronic insomnia usually lasts at least 3 months.
Insomnia at a Glance
| When | What insomnia may feel like |
|---|---|
| Trying to fall asleep | Lying awake for a long time, with active thoughts or a feeling of being "tired but wired" |
| During the night | Waking often, sleeping in short periods or struggling to fall back asleep |
| Early morning | Waking earlier than planned and remaining awake |
| The next day | Feeling unrested, fatigued, sleepy, irritable or unable to concentrate |
| Over time | Worrying about sleep and noticing effects on work, school, relationships or daily activities |
What Does Insomnia Feel Like at Night?
At night, insomnia can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep or return to sleep after waking. You may:
- Feel tired but unable to settle into sleep
- Keep thinking when you want your mind to switch off
- Wake several times during the night
- Sleep lightly or only in short periods
- Wake much earlier than intended
- Become more worried as the night goes on
Insomnia does not mean that you get no sleep. You may sleep for several hours but still wake up feeling that your sleep was poor quality or did not restore your energy.
How Does Insomnia Feel During the Day?
During the day, insomnia may cause tiredness, sleepiness during quiet activities, difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness. You may also notice:
- Slower thinking
- More mistakes
- Irritability or emotional sensitivity
- Anxiety, low mood or frustration
- Lower performance at work or school
Poor sleep can also slow your reaction time. If you are too sleepy to drive, do not drive.
Is One Bad Night of Sleep Insomnia?
Usually, no. An occasional poor night is common. Insomnia is more concerning when difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early happens regularly and causes problems during the day.
Healthcare professionals may consider insomnia when these sleep problems occur at least 3 nights per week. Chronic insomnia generally means the pattern continues for at least 3 months and affects daytime functioning.
How Is Insomnia Different From Other Sleep Problems?
Sleep difficulty can sometimes come from another sleep disorder, health problem or medication effect. Possible causes include:
- Sleep apnea: Trouble staying asleep with loud snoring, gasping, choking or pauses in breathing during sleep
- Restless legs syndrome: An uncomfortable urge to move the legs that makes it hard to fall asleep
- Circadian rhythm problems: Jet lag, shift work or a delayed body clock that makes it difficult to sleep at conventional times
- Anxiety, depression, pain, reflux or medication effects: These can interrupt sleep and may need separate treatment
The cause matters because treating another sleep or health problem may improve your sleep.
When Should You See a Doctor About Insomnia?
See a healthcare professional if your sleep problems:
- Happen regularly
- Make daily activities difficult
- Leave you consistently unrefreshed or overly sleepy
- Affect your mood, concentration or work
- Continue after you improve your sleep routine
A sleep diary can help you prepare for an appointment. For 1 to 2 weeks, record your bedtime, wake time, night awakenings, naps, caffeine, alcohol and daytime sleepiness.