We’ve all had the odd sleepless night, but what if that happens every time you go to bed? We take a closer look at this sleep disorder

It’s midnight, meaning it’s the start of a new day – and then 1am, and 2am and 3am. But you’re one of the few people that notices; while most people are fast asleep, you’re still fighting with eyelids that refuse to stay closed and a mind that refuses to quieten. You ask yourself: is this normal?

If this kind of thing happens frequently, you are likely an insomniac – someone who struggles to fall asleep. Although many young adults probably suffer from a lack of sleep, how do you know whether you’re actually suffering from insomnia?

With studies showing that around one in every three people suffers from insomnia around the world, we spoke to a professional to find out more about this misunderstood disorder.

So, what is insomnia?

Dr Joyce Lam, the vice-president of the Hong Kong Society of Sleep, says insomnia can be divided into three main categories – difficulty in maintaining sleep (DIMS); difficulty in initiating sleep (DIS); and early morning awakening.

“Most patients are diagnosed with the first two types, while the latter one affects mostly elderly people and people with depression,” Lam says. “If the situation happens three or more days a week, and lasts for three months, then it’s very likely you’re suffering from an insomnia disorder.”

Effects

Lam says the effects of insomnia vary between short term and more chronic cases.

“For example, you’ll probably be unable to fall asleep if you’re nervous about tomorrow’s exams. This kind of insomnia may cause minor issues like trouble focusing and a bad temper.”

However, she adds that long-term sufferers may have more severe outcomes, such as serious depression and anxiety.

This can lead to bad habits, such as relying on caffeinated drinks to maintain your energy levels during the day. This makes it harder to fall asleep at night; and you may begin to worry about not getting enough sleep, which ironically makes sleep even more difficult.

Myths

There are lots of folk stories and old wives’ tales on how to “cure” insomnia and, while some might be effective, others do more harm than good. For example, napping to compensate for a lack of sleep at night is a common mistake.

“A person who has stayed up for the entire day in most cases has an easier time falling asleep than people who took naps during the day, for the reason that the former has gathered more sleepiness overall,” explains Lam.