Struggling to Sleep? It Could Be Insomnia.
When nights feel endless and mornings leave you drained, you don’t have to face it alone. Let’s help you find restful sleep—so you can wake up refreshed and ready for life. Schedule your Sleep Evaluation today!
What Is Trauma Insomnia?
Researchers describe insomnia as a “hyperarousal” state, where stress hormones like cortisol stay elevated, even when your body needs rest. Insomnia is a sleep disorder where you regularly have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or wake up too early—even when you have the chance to rest. Over time, poor sleep steals the body’s natural chance to repair itself, and it robs your brain of the downtime it needs to sort through daily stress. Left unaddressed, insomnia can affect your mood, focus, memory, and overall well-being.
How Insomnia and Mental Health Are Connected
Sleep and mental health share a two-way street. Chronic lack of sleep can trigger or worsen anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. At the same time, existing mental health conditions often make it harder to fall or stay asleep. Sometimes, both insomnia and a mental health challenge are symptoms of a larger issue—like chronic pain, diabetes, or ongoing stress. Whether insomnia is a primary concern on its own or secondary to another condition, treating one often helps improve the other.
Causes & Risk Factors
Insomnia has many possible triggers. For some people, genetics play a role—certain inheritable traits can make resting harder. In other cases, underlying health issues are the root cause.
Mental Health Conditions: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other disorders often disrupt normal sleep patterns.
Medical Problems: Conditions such as sleep apnea, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and migraines can wake you up or make it hard to settle.
Chronic Pain: Back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other sources of constant discomfort keep your mind and body alert.
Neurological Issues: Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or other neurological diseases may interfere with sleep-wake cycles.
Substance Use & Medications: Alcohol, caffeine, recreational drugs, and some prescription medications can all disturb your sleep.
Stress & Lifestyle: High stress levels, an unpredictable schedule, or working night shifts can leave your nervous system stuck in “on” mode.
Treatment Options
Healing from insomnia often requires a mix of approaches. At Gen Advanced Healthcare, we work with you to find the right combination:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): This talk-therapy method helps you identify unhelpful beliefs about sleep, develop healthy bedtime routines, and calm the mind so rest comes more naturally.
Sleep Medications (Short-Term): When needed, we may prescribe gentle sleep aids or help adjust other medications that affect your sleep. Our goal is to use the lowest dose for the shortest time to ease you back into a consistent pattern.
Lifestyle Changes & Sleep Hygiene: Simple adjustments—like sticking to a regular sleep schedule, creating a peaceful bedroom environment, limiting screen time before bed, and avoiding large meals or caffeine late in the day—can make a big difference.
Treating Underlying Conditions: If insomnia stems from depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or a medical issue like sleep apnea, we address those root causes in tandem with sleep strategies.
Stress Reduction Techniques: Mindfulness practices, deep breathing exercises, gentle yoga, or guided relaxation help lower cortisol and shift your nervous system out of high gear.
Physical Activity: Regular, moderate exercise—done earlier in the day—can improve sleep quality by reducing stress and promoting natural tiredness by evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can occasional sleepless nights be normal?
Yes. Stressful events, jet lag, or a night out can make it hard to fall asleep occasionally. Insomnia becomes a concern when trouble sleeping happens at least three times a week for three months or more and affects your daily life.
Do I need a sleep study?
Not always. Many times, a detailed history and a short questionnaire give us enough information to start treatment. If we suspect another sleep disorder—like sleep apnea—we may recommend a formal sleep study.
Are sleep aids safe long-term?
A: Most sleep medications are intended for short-term use. If you need ongoing help, we focus on therapies (like CBT-I) that train your brain and body to sleep naturally again, reducing reliance on pills.
How long does it take to improve my sleep?
Everyone is different. Some people notice small changes within a few weeks of following a new bedtime routine and therapy. Others may need a few months of consistent practice and support.
Can treating my anxiety or depression help my insomnia?
Absolutely. Because mental health and sleep are so closely connected, easing stress, worry, or low mood often leads to better rest—and vice versa.
Take a Quick Self-Check for Insomnia Symptoms
Not sure if your sleep struggles are more than just a few restless nights? Try this simple self-check to better understand your symptoms and see if it might be time to talk to a professional.
Gen Advanced Healthcare
We are committed to making quality mental healthcare accessible and engaging. We honor the courage it takes to seek support by providing expert, compassionate care for individuals and families navigating emotional, stress-related, and psychiatric challenges.
Contact Us
Address: 600 1st Avenue Ste 102 Seattle WA 98104
Telephone: (206) 895-1259; 18009271936
Fax: (206) 895-1274
Email: admin@GENadvancedhealthcare.com
Open: Mon. – Fri.: 7am – 5pm; Sat.: 7am-1pm