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Insomnia & Parasomnia

insomnia, parasomnia

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Insomnia & Parasomnia are common sleep disorders that affect millions of people. They cause problems in your life, and they’re often hard to treat. But there is hope! A good night’s rest is possible for most people who suffer from Insomnia or Parasomnias.

What is Insomnia?

The term “Insomnia” refers to difficulty falling asleep at bedtime. The condition may also include trouble staying awake during the day. People suffering from this problem have frequent awakenings throughout the night, making it difficult to fall asleep again.

In some cases, the person wakes up feeling tired but not refreshed.

What is Parasomnia?

Parasomnias refer to abnormal behaviors occurring while sleeping. These behaviors usually involve moving around or talking loudly.

Some Examples of Parasomnias Include:

Sleepwalking

Walking through doors, windows, etc., without realizing where you are going.

Night terrors

Having frightening dreams that wake you up screaming. You feel like something terrible has happened.

Nightmare disorder

Waking up repeatedly because of nightmares about things such as being chased by monsters or having an accident.

People with Insomnia and Parasomnias experience many other symptoms too.
Some of these include:

  • Feeling anxious before bedtime
  • Difficulty concentrating on tasks
  • Being irritable when woken up
  • Not remembering parts of the dream
  • Getting out of bed several times during the night

Treatment Options For Insomnia & Parasomnia

There are two main types of treatment for Insomnia and Parasomnia: behavioural therapy and medication. Behavioural therapies can complement the use of medications. Medications alone don’t always provide relief. However, combining both approaches offers promising results.

Behavioural Therapy

This type of treatment is usually offered by a psychologist or psychotherapist and involves learning new ways to cope with stressors and improve sleep habits. It includes techniques such as relaxation training, cognitive restructuring, stimulus control, and sleep hygiene education.

Medication

There are different classes of drugs that can be prescribed to treat Insomnia and Parasomnia. Talk to your family physician about your options.

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