Psychiatry Search
Psychiatry Psychiatry
insomnia
INSOMNIA

Insomnia can be either having difficulty in initiating sleep, maintaining sleep or experiencing early morning awakening wherein returning to sleep is not easily attained.

These disturbances can cause significant distress and impairment in daytime functioning.

It is the most prevalent sleep disorder in the general population thus accurate diagnosis and effective treatment is necessary.

Insomnia Signs and Symptoms

Introduction

  • The subjective perception of difficulty in sleep initiation, duration, consolidation, or quality of sleep, occurring despite adequate opportunities for sleep, & resulting in daytime dysfunction
  • Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder in the general population, therefore, it is an important public health problem that needs accurate diagnosis & effective treatment
  • Approximately 6-10% of adults have insomnia & it is more common in females & older adults
    • 30-50% of the population is affected by occasional, short-term insomnia
    • The prevalence of chronic insomnia disorder is estimated to be at least 5-10% in industrialized nations

Risk Factors

  • Increasing age
  • Female gender
  • Medical & psychiatric disease (eg depression, mood disorders)
  • Socioeconomic factors (eg marital separation, unemployment, lower quality of life)
Digital Edition
Asia's trusted medical magazine for healthcare professionals. Get your MIMS Psychiatry - Malaysia digital copy today!
Sign In To Download
Editor's Recommendations
Most Read Articles
Handbook to raise awareness on mental health issues
Saras Ramiya, 16 Jan 2020

The Malaysian Psychiatric Association (MPA), Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) and Pfizer Malaysia jointly launched a new mental health handbook in December 2019 to highlight the signs and symptoms of mental health issues and encourage Malaysians to see a doctor early if they experience any signs or symptoms.