Insomnia This a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org

What is Insomnia?Classified as the inability to get enough sleep despite adequate time.

Symptoms Include:Delayed Sleep OnsetEarly Morning Wake-UpsUnrefreshing SleepTrouble Maintaining Sleep

Causes many problems in daytime functioning

Stages of SleepStage I

Stage II

Stages I and II are light sleep

Stage III

Stage IV

Stages III and Stages are deep sleep

Classifications of Insomnia

Primary InsomniaAlso referred to as Idiopathic

This is diagnosed when a patient has no other cause of insomnia other than the fact they cannot sleep

Also been known to be patient confusion and misconception around what is meant and understood to be sleep

Secondary InsomniaThis is also more commonly referred to as Comorbid Insomnia

When insomnia is being caused by some other outside factor, illness, or disorder including:

Drug AbusePsychiatric DisordersMedical ProblemsOther Sleep Disorders disruptive to sleep

Acute InsomniaThis is when a patient suffers from insomnia fewer than 3 times a week for less than a month

Typically stems from changes in the environment and a short illness the patient might have had

Chronic InsomniaThis will be diagnosed when a patient suffers from symptoms more than 3 times a week for a period longer than a month

When insomnia becomes a chronic problem, it is typically said to be comorbid insomnia

Causes of InsomniaOften caused by depression or other psychiatric problems

Also caused by excess, lasting stress or racing thoughts at bedtime

Symptoms of insomnia also could be cause by other sleeping disorders such as:Restless Leg SyndromeSleep ApneaSomnolence

Treatment of InsomniaInsomnia is not a disorder that can necessarily be “cured”

Symptoms treated in order to relieve patient of distress

Treated by two different methodsNon-Pharmacological TreatmentPharmacological Treatment

Stimulus Control TherapyLearn to associate the bedroom with sleep alone

Don’t go in the bedroom unless going to sleepDo not go to bed unless tiredLeave the bedroom if haven’t fallen asleep in 15 minutesBe completely relaxed when in bed

This method has been seen to be very effective if used for over a prolonged period of time

Improved efficacy if sleep hygiene is also managed

My Experiences

I’m always very tired. It’s hard for me to do daily tasks sometimes

I’ll always have these random mood swings. The smallest thongs can bother me to the extreme.

Im always on edge. I don’t have a lot of patients for anything or anyone

I hardly have any energy to do the things I like. It gets harder for me to get out of bed and go to school or work. I dont even care to see my friends or family anymore

I hallucinate sometimes. I get creeped out by it a lot because ill usually be alone when it happens. I hallucinate bugs on me or something like that

Im constantly forgetting things. I have a hard time remembering certain dates or plans I made that week. I constantly forget the date, but thats not even half of the things i forget……