Insomnia (Sleep Disorder): What It Is, How It Becomes Chronic & Our CBT-I Approach

What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia (sleeplessness disorder) is a sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or returning to sleep after waking up too early in the morning, despite having adequate time and suitable conditions for sleep.

Insomnia is not limited to night-time sleep difficulties alone. It can also lead to daytime problems such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, mood changes, and reduced daily functioning.

Experiencing occasional sleep difficulty is very common. However, when these difficulties occur at least three nights a week, last for three months or longer, and negatively affect a person's daily life, chronic insomnia may be present.

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Why Does Insomnia Occur?

Insomnia often begins with stressful life events, intense anxiety, health issues, or changes in daily routines.

However, the factors that trigger insomnia and the factors that cause the problem to persist are not always the same.

For example, someone who cannot sleep for a few nights due to a stressful period may gradually begin to worry more about their sleep. In an effort to sleep better, they might go to bed earlier, stay in bed longer, or nap during the day to make up for next-day fatigue.

These behaviours, initially expected to help, can disrupt the natural sleep rhythm over time.

Thus, insomnia can continue even after the original stress factor has disappeared.

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How Does Insomnia Become Chronic?

In chronic insomnia, three mutually reinforcing processes frequently play a role:

These processes feed into one another and cause insomnia to persist.

Therefore, in treating chronic insomnia, simply trying to make falling asleep easier is not enough. It is essential to address the cognitive, behavioural, and physiological mechanisms that maintain sleeplessness together.

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Our Approach to Insomnia Treatment

The foundation of our treatment approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), developed specifically for chronic insomnia and supported by scientific research.

CBT-I is a structured psychological treatment approach aimed at changing the thought patterns, behaviours, and sleep habits that contribute to the continuation of insomnia.

During the treatment process, we utilise methods tailored to individual needs, including sleep pattern assessment, stimulus control, sleep restriction or sleep compression, sleep hygiene, relaxation training, and cognitive restructuring.

Our goal is not merely to increase sleep duration, but to help the person reduce sleep-related anxiety, regain confidence in sleep, and develop a more sustainable sleep pattern.

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Get Information About Insomnia Treatment

Are you having trouble falling asleep, waking up frequently at night, or starting the day without feeling rested in the morning?

If insomnia is affecting your daily life, mood, and quality of life, seeking professional support can be an important step.

You can contact us to evaluate your sleep problems together and get information about suitable treatment options for you.

You can call us or reach us through our contact and appointment form.