Beyond Sleep Loss: 6 Surprising Signs of Insomnia

Do you get enough sleep at night? Recommendations suggest that you need 7-9 hours nightly, so you do your best. You go to bed at a reasonable hour, and you don’t find yourself staying awake for too long with a book or a browser. You think you’re doing all right, and blame daily difficulties on your own shortcomings.

But, even if you don’t realize it, you could still have insomnia, meaning that you’re facing every new day with an increasing burden of sleep loss. If you aren’t aware of how much you’re struggling to sleep, you might not realize how bad your insomnia actually is — until you take stock of how much it’s affecting your daily life. 

Use these six surprising signs of sleep loss to understand the nature of your problem. Then talk to Dr. Ronald P. Winfield and the team at Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates LLC of North Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Dr. Winfield supports new and existing patients with insomnia treatment and sleep debt relief. When you find the right treatment for your insomnia, you may be amazed at how much better you feel!

1. Waking too early

Some of us are natural early birds, but waking up too early can also be a sign of insomnia. If you’re waking up before your body is ready, you’re not receiving all of the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Insomnia related to waking too early counts just as much as the more stereotypical insomniac struggle to get to sleep.

2. Daytime fatigue

Do you often feel tired throughout the day? Do you find your energy flagging at lunch, or do you struggle to stay up for evening events? People living with insomnia may even find themselves drifting off into unplanned naps. In order to treat your fatigue, you may need to improve your sleep quality.

3. Irritability

When you aren’t sleeping enough, your mood may be adversely affected. Irritability and mood swings result from insufficient rest. Instead of focusing on your frustrations, seek the source of your conflicts and treat your sleep disorder.

4. Depression or anxiety

Insufficient sleep can disturb your mental health in addition to your mood. Depression or an anxiety disorder may start to affect you as a result of insomnia. Conversely, an underlying mental health disorder may be linked to your overall poor sleep.

5. Poor memory

A sleep-deprived brain can’t hold on to information the way a well-rested one can. If you find that you feel mentally foggy, or can’t remember small details regularly, it’s worth investigating how well you’re resting at night.

6. Mistakes and accidents

Sleep loss leaves you more vulnerable to errors, mistakes, and accidents. Finding the right treatment for your insomnia can save you from these frequent slip-ups and stumbles.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, consult with Dr. Winfield about your sleep quality. If he suspects that you might have a sleep disorder like insomnia, he suggests a sleep study to confirm your diagnosis. Once you know the reason for your fatigue, mood swings, or error-prone ways, you can find ways to rest more completely for more of the night.

Schedule your initial consultation appointment at Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates by contacting us online or over the phone today.