Insomnia Support Group
Insomnia is a symptom, rather than a disease, and is characterized by inadequate quantity or quality of sleep. People with insomnia complain of difficulty falling or staying asleep, which results in significant impairment of daytime functioning. Insomnia is categorized as transient (shorter than one week), short-term (one to three weeks) or chronic (longer than three...
my brother has insomnia, and ever since he told me what it was, it would make sense that i have it. i don't want to be the person who self diagnoses themselves with mental health issues, but i really do feel like i have it. my friends are always commenting on how tired i am and how i 'sleep' so much (though, i'm just laying in my bed unable to sleep). i never am able to get a full nights sleep a.k.a less than 2-3 hours a night. this really stresses me out as i have schoolwork as well as after school activities that i do everyday of the week. please help? how do i find out if i have it, and if so, how can i help it?
Generally insomnia is defined by both the inability to sleep when and for the amount desired, plus some adverse affect on waking hours. Do you feel tired or is it just your friends commenting? Do you have enough energy to get through the day? Mood normal? Not overly fatigued? These are the sorts of questions to ask yourself.
That said, insomnia isn't some sort of disease, but it's a complaint. Always caused by something else. If you do have insomnia, that's what you need to find and treat -- not sleep itself.
For example, using the screen on your cell phone or computer before you try to sleep can cause insomnia. Cell phones emit blue-tinted light that tells our brains it is morning. If you phone has a "nightlight", try that out. It makes the light more orange, which tells the brain it is time to sleep.
If that doesn't help, you may want to read more about "sleep hygiene", which is the name for all the lifestyle factors (like phone use) that can affect sleep.
If you still only get 2-3 a night, consider making an appointment with your doctor. Don't have one? See if there is a local health clinic in your town or neighborhood. You deserve, and need a good night's sleep to be happy and healthy.
Good luck.