Sign up to access the complete lesson and track your progress!
Unlock This CourseInsomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders affecting millions of people worldwide. It's not just about having trouble falling asleep - it's a complex condition that can seriously impact someone's quality of life, mental health and physical wellbeing. Understanding insomnia is crucial for IGCSE Psychology students as it demonstrates how biological and psychological factors interact to affect human behaviour.
Key Definitions:
For sleep problems to be classified as insomnia, they must occur at least three nights per week for at least three months and cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning. It's not just about feeling tired - it's about how the lack of sleep affects your ability to work, study, or maintain relationships.
Psychologists classify insomnia in several ways to better understand and treat the condition. The main classifications help us understand when the problem occurs and what might be causing it.
Understanding how long insomnia lasts helps psychologists determine the best treatment approach and identify underlying causes.
Lasts less than three months. Often triggered by stress, life changes, or temporary circumstances like exams or relationship problems. Usually resolves on its own once the stressor is removed.
Persists for three months or longer, occurring at least three nights per week. This type often requires professional treatment and may be linked to underlying medical or psychological conditions.
Comes and goes in episodes, often related to recurring stressors or seasonal factors. May occur during exam periods or times of increased work pressure.
Understanding what causes insomnia helps psychologists develop targeted treatment strategies.
Sleep problems that aren't directly caused by another health condition. The insomnia is the main problem, not a symptom of something else. Often involves learned behaviours or conditioned responses that interfere with sleep.
Sleep problems caused by other conditions such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or medication side effects. Treating the underlying condition often helps improve sleep.
Insomnia rarely has a single cause. Instead, it typically results from a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors working together.
Mental health plays a crucial role in sleep quality. Psychological factors are often the most significant contributors to chronic insomnia.
Sarah, a 16-year-old IGCSE student, developed insomnia during her mock exams. She would lie awake for hours worrying about her performance, creating a cycle where poor sleep made studying harder, which increased her anxiety. Her sleep problems began as acute insomnia but became chronic when she started associating her bed with worry rather than rest. Through cognitive behavioural therapy and sleep hygiene education, Sarah learned to manage her anxiety and restore healthy sleep patterns.
Physical factors can significantly impact sleep quality and contribute to insomnia development.
Insomnia doesn't just make people tired - it has wide-ranging effects on physical health, mental wellbeing and daily functioning that can create a vicious cycle.
Sleep deprivation significantly impacts how we think, feel and behave during the day.
Chronic insomnia can have serious long-term effects on physical health, demonstrating the crucial connection between sleep and overall wellbeing.
Effective treatment for insomnia often involves a combination of approaches, addressing both the symptoms and underlying causes.
CBT-I is considered the gold standard treatment for chronic insomnia. It addresses the thoughts and behaviours that contribute to sleep problems.
Mark, a 45-year-old teacher, developed chronic insomnia after a stressful period at work. He began associating his bedroom with worry and frustration about not sleeping. Through CBT-I, Mark learned to use his bed only for sleep, practiced relaxation techniques and challenged his catastrophic thoughts about sleep loss. After 8 weeks of treatment, his sleep quality improved significantly and he reported better mood and work performance.
Good sleep hygiene forms the foundation of insomnia treatment and prevention.
Understanding how to prevent insomnia and manage sleep problems is crucial for maintaining good mental and physical health.
Developing good sleep habits and stress management skills can help prevent insomnia from developing or recurring.
Research shows that insomnia often becomes self-perpetuating through a cycle of worry and poor sleep habits. People with insomnia often develop "performance anxiety" about sleep, spending time in bed worrying about not sleeping, which makes sleep even more difficult. This creates a conditioned response where the bed becomes associated with anxiety rather than rest. Breaking this cycle is a key focus of modern insomnia treatment.
Insomnia is a complex sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Understanding its causes, effects and treatments is essential for recognising when professional help is needed. The good news is that insomnia is highly treatable, with cognitive behavioural therapy and sleep hygiene education showing excellent success rates. By understanding the psychological and biological factors involved in insomnia, we can better appreciate the importance of sleep for overall health and wellbeing.