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Insomnia

Insomnia means you regularly have problems sleeping. It usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits.

Check if you have insomnia

You have insomnia if you regularly:

  • find it hard to go to sleep
  • wake up several times during the night
  • lie awake at night
  • wake up early and cannot go back to sleep
  • still feel tired after waking up
  • find it hard to nap during the day even though you're tired
  • feel tired and irritable during the day
  • find it difficult to concentrate during the day because you're tired

If you have insomnia for a short time (less than 3 months) it's called short-term insomnia. Insomnia that lasts 3 months or longer is called long-term insomnia.

How much sleep you need

Everyone needs different amounts of sleep.

On average:

  • adults need 7 to 9 hours
  • children need 9 to 13 hours
  • toddlers and babies need 12 to 17 hours

You probably do not get enough sleep if you're constantly tired during the day.

What causes insomnia

The most common causes of insomnia are:

  • stress, anxiety or depression
  • noise
  • a room that's too hot or cold
  • uncomfortable beds
  • alcohol, caffeine or nicotine
  • illegal drugs like cocaine or ecstasy
  • jet lag
  • shift work
Conditions and other things that can cause insomnia

Conditions and medicines that can cause insomnia:

Many medicines can also cause insomnia.

Things that keep you from getting a good night's sleep:

How you can treat insomnia yourself

Insomnia usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits.

Do

  • go to bed and wake up at the same time every day

  • relax at least 1 hour before bed, for example, take a bath or read a book

  • make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet – use curtains, blinds, an eye mask or ear plugs if needed

  • exercise regularly during the day

  • make sure your mattress, pillows and covers are comfortable

Don’t

  • do not smoke or drink alcohol, tea or coffee at least 6 hours before going to bed

  • do not eat a big meal late at night

  • do not exercise at least 4 hours before bed

  • do not watch television or use devices, like smartphones, right before going to bed, because the blue light makes you more awake

  • do not nap during the day

  • do not drive when you feel sleepy

  • do not sleep in after a bad night's sleep and stick to your regular sleeping hours instead

How a pharmacist can help with insomnia

You can buy tablets or liquids (sometimes called sleeping aids) from a pharmacy that may help you sleep better.

Some contain natural ingredients such as valerian or lavender, while others contain an antihistamine.

They cannot cure insomnia but may help you sleep better for 1 to 2 weeks. They should not be taken for any longer.

Some of these products can have side effects, for instance, they may make you drowsy. This could make it difficult for you to do certain things like drive.

Check with your doctor before taking anything for your sleep problems.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • changing your sleeping habits has not helped your insomnia
  • you've had trouble sleeping for months
  • your insomnia is affecting your daily life in a way that makes it hard for you to cope

Treatment from a GP for insomnia

A GP will try to find out what's causing your insomnia so you get the right treatment.

Sometimes you'll be offered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This may be face-to-face with a therapist, or through an online self-help programme.

This can help you change the thoughts and behaviours that keep you from sleeping.

You may be referred to a sleep clinic if you have symptoms of another sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea.

GPs now rarely prescribe sleeping pills to treat insomnia. Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and you can become dependent on them.

Sleeping pills are only prescribed for a few days, or weeks at the most, if:

  • your insomnia is very bad
  • other treatments have not worked

Page last reviewed: 19 March 2024
Next review due: 19 March 2027