Insomnia

Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep, or waking too early, with effects on how you feel or function the next day. Short-term sleep disruption is common. Insomnia is more likely to need structured help when problems are frequent, last for weeks or months, and affect mood, concentration, work or safety.

Sleep problems have many contributors: stress, irregular schedules, caffeine or alcohol, pain, menopause symptoms, mental health conditions, sleep apnoea and other medical issues. That means insomnia is often a pattern to assess carefully rather than a single disease label.

Self-help and sleep-hygiene advice help some people. For persistent insomnia, NHS pathways may include cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and, in selected cases, short-term medicines. Private sleep clinics and digital programmes offer alternative access routes some people compare. Assessment should consider whether another sleep disorder needs investigation.

This page does not diagnose insomnia or recommend a specific product or clinic.

Speak to a GP if sleep problems persist, affect daytime functioning, or you snore loudly with pauses in breathing, fall asleep unintentionally, or have sudden sleep attacks. Seek urgent help for severe low mood with thoughts of self-harm, or for sudden neurological symptoms.

Assessment usually starts with history of sleep patterns, daytime effects and related health factors. Sleep diaries may help. Referral for sleep studies is not routine for uncomplicated insomnia but may be considered when another sleep disorder is suspected. Treatment discussion may include CBT-I and, sometimes, short-term medication.