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Primary Insomnia - Overview

Alternative Names

Insomnia - psychophysiological (learned); Chronic insomnia

Definition of Primary Insomnia:

Primary insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, or having non-refreshing sleep for at least 1 month without any known physical or mental condition.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Insomnia is caused by many different things. The most common causes of insomnia are:

Alcohol
Anxiety
Coffee
Stress

About 25% of elderly people and about 10% of people in general have insomnia.

Secondary insomnia is insomnia caused by a medical condition. Depression is a very common cause of secondary insomnia. Often, insomnia is the symptom for which people with depression seek medical help.

Reviewed last on: 2/6/2008
Christos Ballas, M.D., Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Goetz CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2003:1207-1210.

Rakel P, ed. Conn’s Current Therapy 2005. 57th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005:34-39.

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