Insomnia

Up to one in three adults suffer from insomnia –– difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. Although most people struggle to sleep occasionally, if the problem occurs regularly, identifying the cause is crucial. At CareStop Behavioral Health in Warner Robins, Georgia, Terrill Cooper, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, provides complete care for insomnia. He uses a conservative, holistic, and culturally sensitive approach that emphasizes healthy lifestyle changes, counseling, and medication when needed. Call CareStop Behavioral Health to schedule insomnia treatment, or book your appointment online today. 

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that interferes with your ability to fall or stay asleep. Sleep disturbances are a normal part of life, but if you regularly feel exhausted or spend most nights tossing and turning, it’s important to find out why. Without treatment, insomnia increases the risk of health problems and can affect your quality of life. It may also be a symptom of a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression.

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

Insomnia symptoms include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up during the night
• Waking up too early
• Feeling cranky, depressed, or anxious
• Worrying about sleep

As the condition worsens, you might have difficulty paying attention, focusing on tasks, or remembering things, resulting in errors at work and/or accidents.

When should I get help for insomnia?

Make an appointment at CareStop Behavioral Health if you regularly have trouble sleeping through the night. That’s especially true if your lack of sleep makes working, exercising, or doing other routine activities hard. If Cooper thinks you have a sleep disorder, he can refer you to a sleep center for specialized testing.

How is insomnia diagnosed?

Cooper reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when your lack of sleep started, how often you have trouble sleeping, and if your symptoms are worse at specific times, like when you’re feeling stressed or anxious about work. He also discusses your mental health, as certain mental conditions can affect your sleep.

Next, Cooper completes an exam. He may also order blood work to check for underlying medical conditions, like hormone imbalances, that can cause poor sleep. 

If an in-office exam doesn’t provide enough insight to make an insomnia diagnosis, Cooper refers you to a sleep lab for a sleep study. A sleep study measures your brainwaves, heart rate, breathing, eye movements, and limb movements during sleep.

How is insomnia treated?

At CareStop Behavioral Health, Cooper treats insomnia conservatively and holistically. He could suggest:

• Talk therapy (counseling) to help you change your beliefs about sleep or address a mental health condition
• Relaxation methods (for example, meditation, deep breathing, and yoga)
• Light therapy
• Prescription sleep medication 
• Improved sleep hygiene
• Regular exercise
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Accessing online resources through Better YOUniversity

Most people with insomnia benefit from several of these treatments. Cooper includes you in each step of the treatment process, regularly asking for your opinions and feedback. 

Whenever possible, Cooper avoids using medication. However, if he determines you might benefit, he initiates treatment with the lowest possible dose. Afterward, Cooper monitors your symptoms at regular checkups, adjusting your dosage when needed for optimal results.

Call CareStop Behavioral Health to schedule an insomnia consultation, or book your appointment online today.