Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders in the UK, but it is often misunderstood. Everyone has the occasional bad night’s sleep, but insomnia is different. It is a recognised medical condition with clear diagnostic criteria.
According to international sleep medicine guidelines, insomnia is defined as:
In short, insomnia is not just about poor sleep. It is a disorder that disrupts both night-time rest and day-time functioning.
At Private Psychiatry, we provide full sleep assessments to determine whether your symptoms are due to insomnia, another sleep disorder, or a combination of factors.
Insomnia affects people in different ways, but the following five symptoms are the most frequently reported:
| Insomnia Symptom | Description | Daytime Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Difficulty falling asleep | Taking longer than 30 minutes to drift off, often with racing thoughts or anxiety | Frustration, lying awake for long periods |
| 2. Frequent awakenings | Waking up multiple times during the night | Fragmented sleep and lack of deep rest |
| 3. Early morning waking | Waking earlier than intended and unable to return to sleep | Shortened sleep duration and morning fatigue |
| 4. Non-restorative sleep | Sleep feels light or unrefreshing despite enough hours in bed | Low energy and reduced motivation |
| 5. Daytime fatigue | Persistent tiredness or lack of energy | Poor focus, reduced productivity, and difficulty coping |
If these symptoms have persisted for more than three months, it may be a sign of chronic insomnia.
Insomnia usually develops due to a mix of psychological, behavioural, and physical factors. Common contributors include:
Not all sleep difficulties are caused by insomnia. Some people may have a circadian rhythm disorder such as delayed sleep phase, which shifts the body clock. Others may have an underlying physical condition that interrupts sleep.
The recommended treatment for chronic insomnia is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). This structured approach helps people change unhelpful sleep patterns, reduce worry about sleep, and retrain the brain for deeper and more refreshing rest. Unlike medication, CBT-I has long-lasting benefits and no side effects.
Because different conditions can look like insomnia, a thorough evaluation is essential. At Private Psychiatry, our comprehensive sleep assessments allow us to:
Distinguish between insomnia and circadian rhythm sleep disorders such as delayed or advanced sleep phase.
Identify whether symptoms suggest another condition, including:
Arrange additional investigations where appropriate, such as:
This process ensures that the correct diagnosis is made and that the most effective treatment pathway is recommended.
If you are struggling with insomnia symptoms, our team provides:
If you recognise these insomnia symptoms and want to understand the cause of your sleep difficulties, expert help is available. At Private Psychiatry, we provide comprehensive assessments to differentiate insomnia from other sleep disorders and ensure you receive the right treatment advice.
Contact us today to book your private sleep assessment and take the first step towards restorative sleep.
Insomnia is diagnosed when you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early at least three nights a week for three months, with daytime effects such as fatigue or poor concentration.
Insomnia is about difficulty sleeping despite having the opportunity to rest. Other conditions such as sleep apnoea or restless legs syndrome involve physical causes that interrupt sleep.
Yes. People with delayed sleep phase disorder often go to sleep very late and struggle to wake on time, which can appear like insomnia. A full assessment helps to distinguish the two.
If needed, your clinician may arrange polysomnography, which is an overnight sleep study, or a home sleep study to check for conditions such as sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome, or periodic limb movements.
The recommended treatment is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), which helps to change the thoughts and behaviours that keep insomnia going.
