Insomnia

Up to 30 million Americans have insomnia, which hinders their ability to get a good night’s sleep. At HC Mental Health & Wellness in Florida, and DC, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Hawley Campbell, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, offers insomnia treatments to help you sleep soundly and wake up energized. Schedule an insomnia evaluation with Hawley by calling the office or booking a telehealth appointment online today.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep condition characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. It can disrupt your daily life by causing daytime fatigue and increasing the risk of accidents and health concerns. About 1 in 3 adults around the world struggles with insomnia symptoms. Hawley offers treatments that can help you get a good night’s rest.

Which symptoms can insomnia cause?

Insomnia can lead to:

• Waking up too early
• Waking up during the right
• Problems falling asleep
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Daytime fatigue
• Irritability
• Depression
• Anxiety 
• Ongoing worry about sleep
• Difficulty paying attention or remembering things
• Frequent accidents
• Poor work or school performance
• Delayed reaction times
• Slowed thinking

Insomnia might also increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. 

What are the risk factors for insomnia?

Insomnia risk factors may include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Family history of insomnia
• Brain differences
• Menopause
• Pregnancy
• Chronic pain
• Stress 
• Life changes
• Trauma
• Jet lag
• Aging 
• Shift work
• Nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol
• Afternoon or evening naps
• Large meals before bed
• Late-night workouts
• Neurological disorders
• Some medications 

However, the cause of insomnia may not be fully clear. 

How is insomnia diagnosed?

Hawley completes a psychiatric evaluation to learn if you have insomnia or other mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. She uses DSM-5 criteria to ask questions and offers GeneSight® genetic testing when necessary to know how your genes likely affect medication effectiveness. She may recommend you undergo a sleep study at home or in a sleep center.

How is insomnia treated?

Treating insomnia at HC Mental Health & Wellness often consists of making lifestyle adjustments, taking dietary supplements or medications, and/or undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other types of therapy with Hawley.

It’s helpful to maintain a regular sleep schedule, allowing 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and sleep in a cool, dark, and quiet room.

Hawley offers strategies to minimize stress and anxiety and lifestyle modifications based on your specific needs. It’s helpful to avoid nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol late in the day, eat nutritious foods, stay active, avoid drugs and alcohol, and maintain a healthy weight. 

Schedule a virtual insomnia evaluation at HC Mental Health & Wellness by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.