What is insomnia and how is it treated?

Short Answer

Insomnia is persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restorative sleep despite opportunity. The most effective treatment is CBT-I (behavior + cognition), with medications used selectively and usually short-term.

Why This Matters

This matters because insomnia often becomes conditioned: the bed triggers effort and worry, which leads to hyperarousal and more wakefulness. CBT-I breaks that loop with stimulus control and sleep restriction, resulting in stronger sleep drive and calmer association with bed. Treating insomnia improves mood, cognition, and health because sleep quality stabilizes.

Where This Changes

Insomnia can be secondary to apnea, depression, chronic pain, or medications, so addressing root causes matters. If insomnia is acute and situational, it may resolve, but using sedatives as a long-term strategy can lead to tolerance and rebound sleep disruption.