Insomnia

If you’re constantly tired due to poor-quality sleep, insomnia may be why. In Santa Monica, California, our top psychiatrists, offers highly effective treatments for insomnia to help you sleep soundly and wake up feeling well-rested. If you struggle to fall or stay asleep, schedule an evaluation with our top psychiatrists by phone or request one online today.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder affecting an alarming one in four Americans every year. It’s characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, fatigue, and other symptoms of sleep deprivation. Treating this condition is vital to optimize your overall well-being. Our top psychiatrists specialize in diagnosing and treating insomnia to help you sleep soundly.

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

Insomnia can cause the following symptoms:

• Waking up too early
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up throughout the night
• Fatigue
• Waking up tired
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Problems paying attention
• Difficulty staying on task
• Worrying about sleep
• Frequent accidents or errors
• Problems focusing or remembering things

These and other insomnia symptoms can severely diminish your physical and mental health when not addressed. See our team at the first sign of a problem. 

What increases the risk of insomnia?

Risk factors that may contribute to insomnia or other sleep disorders include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Stress
• Drinking caffeine late in the day
• Irregular sleeping patterns
• Fluctuations in your sleep schedule
• Poor sleep habits
• Family history of insomnia 
• Caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol late in the evening
• Eating too much or too little before bed
• Some medical conditions
• Certain medications
• Being over age 60
• Changes in physical activity
• Hormonal fluctuations 
• Being female
• Menopause 
• Chronic pain

When not treated, insomnia might decrease your work or school performance, cause slower reaction times while driving, and increase the chance of depression, anxiety, or substance misuse. It heightens your risk of developing heart disease or high blood pressure. 

How is insomnia diagnosed?

Our top psychiatrists discuss your symptoms and medical history to determine if you have insomnia. He also asks questions about your mental health during a psychiatric evaluation. He may recommend you keep a sleep log or undergo a sleep study.

How does my specialist treat insomnia?

Treating insomnia often includes making healthy lifestyle changes, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and reducing stress.

Set a regular bedtime schedule, try relaxation techniques, and get treated for mental health disorders to get a better night’s rest. It’s vital to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine before bed, exercise regularly, and eat nutritious foods. 

You might take medications and undergo cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other forms of psychotherapy. Our team tailors each insomnia treatment plan to meet your personal needs.

Schedule an insomnia evaluation with our top psychiatrists by phone or book one online today.