Insomnia

If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, feel restless at night, or have decreased daytime energy, you may suffer insomnia. Rondeshya “Ronnie” Cosby, NP, and the team at Bright Shadows Telepsychiatry provide effective insomnia treatments to patients aged 12 and older in and around Virginia and North Carolina. Convenient virtual appointments can help you understand the root of your sleeping problems and discover tools to achieve a peaceful night of rest. Call the welcoming staff or request an appointment online to learn about your treatment options.

What is insomnia? 

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder; approximately 30% of American adults exhibit symptoms, and 10% experience long-term insomnia.

Insomnia makes it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get good quality sleep. It can cause sleepiness during the day and make it difficult to function normally. 

Stress or changes in your schedule or environment can cause short-term insomnia, which may last a few days or weeks.

You may have chronic insomnia if you have trouble sleeping three or more nights a week, it lasts more than three months, or an underlying health problem isn't triggering your sleep issues.

What are the symptoms of insomnia? 

Symptoms of insomnia include:

• Trouble falling asleep 
• Issues staying asleep through the night 
• Restlessness while sleeping 
• Daytime sleepiness 
• Frequent naps 
• Trouble focusing 
• Irritability 
• Decreased energy
• Mood swings 

If you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nightmares may contribute to your insomnia and make it difficult to sleep through the night. 

Narcolepsy, a neurological disorder, can cause extreme daytime drowsiness and lead to insomnia at night. 

Seeking care for insomnia is vital as it can lead to health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. 

What are my insomnia treatment options? 

To diagnose insomnia, Bright Shadows Telepsychiatry asks about your sleep habits and may ask you to keep a sleep diary. 

The team develops a holistic treatment plan that can treat the root of your sleep issues.

Medications 

Sleep aids like melatonin may benefit your insomnia. The team may recommend benzodiazepines for short-term insomnia, as they can be habit-forming.  

If you have narcolepsy, the team may prescribe stimulants or wake-promoting medications. 

Psychotherapy 

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a successful targeted intervention option that usually lasts between four and eight virtual sessions. The team uses CBT-I to address the underlying behavioral and thought patterns that create your sleep problems. 

For PTSD, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) triggers your brain to revisit the traumatic event and let go of feelings of fear, which can reduce intruding nightmares and memories. 

Lifestyle changes

The team may recommend creating a comfortable sleeping environment, maintaining a sleep schedule, and avoiding screen time before bed. 

Reducing daily stress through meditation or other mindfulness techniques can lead to an improved night of rest.  

Call Bright Shadows Telepsychiatry today or request an appointment online for expert insomnia care.