Diagnosis of INSOMNIA

How Is Insomnia Diagnosed?

Within each individual sleep needs remain quite constant. They change only very gradually over time. If we use the so-called "average" sleeper as and example, we find that sleep needs decrease from the time we're born, leveling to eight hours by age twelve, to seven hours between our mid-twenties and late forties, and dropping to five or six in our sixties and seventies.

During each of these stages the amount of sleep you need one night is generally the same amount you need the next. there should be consistency in your sleep needs. That's how you know when there's a problem: when you cannot get the sleep your body is accustomed to. If you have always required about 7hrs of sleep a night and suddenly cannot fall asleep and are getting only three or four hours of sleep, then insomnia becomes a serious consideration.

Therefore, how much sleep do you really need?!? Experts say that you could judge how much sleep you need by evaluating your daytime alertness and energy level. If you feel wide awake, alert, and energetic throughout the day, you are getting enough sleep (even if you've got just a few hours sleep). Some Experts believe that pushing your effort to sleep more might be creating an insomnia problem when there was none to start with.

If, conversely, you are consistently tired and irritable during the day, you can assume your body is not getting enough sleep at night. If your tossing and turning is taking up needed sleep time, insomnia may be the culprit.


References:

DiGeronimo, T. F. (1997) Insomnia 50 Essential Things to Do. New Jersey: The Penguin Group

Courtenay, A. (1990) Natural Sleep: How to beat insomnia without drugs. Northamptonshire: Thorsons Publishers Limited

FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INSOMNIA AND INSOMNIA TREATMENT TIPS

Insomnia Treatment (1): Create Your Own Sleep Diary

Insomnia Treatment (2): Quit Smoking

Insomnia Treatment (3): Giving Up Coffee and Energy Dringk