Can’t Sleep? When Insomnia Is More Than Just Stress
Most people have had a bad run of sleep at some point. A stressful week, a new baby, a health scare. Sleep suffers and then, usually, it comes back.
But for a lot of people, it doesn’t come back. The stressor resolves and the sleep doesn’t. Or there was never an obvious cause to begin with. Lying awake, watching the hours tick by, dreading the alarm before it goes off.
If that sounds familiar, it’s worth knowing that insomnia is a genuine medical condition, it’s more common than most people realise, and there are effective treatments available.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is characterised by persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early, combined with daytime impairment as a result. That last part matters. Poor sleep that doesn’t affect how you function during the day is less of a clinical concern. Insomnia that leaves you exhausted, foggy, irritable, or unable to perform at work or home is worth addressing.
It’s considered chronic when it happens at least three nights per week for three months or more.
How Common Is It?
Very. Roughly one in three Australians experience insomnia symptoms, and around one in ten meet the criteria for chronic insomnia disorder. It’s more common in women, in older adults, and in people with mental health conditions, but it affects people across all ages and backgrounds.
It’s also significantly underreported. Many people assume poor sleep is just something they have to put up with, or that there’s nothing a doctor can do.
What Causes Insomnia?
Insomnia is rarely just one thing. Common contributors include:
Psychological factors Anxiety and depression are strongly linked to insomnia. The relationship runs both ways. Poor sleep worsens anxiety and depression, and anxiety and depression make sleep harder. Untreated mental health conditions are one of the most common drivers of chronic insomnia.
Hyperarousal Many people with insomnia have a nervous system that stays in a heightened state of alertness. They can’t switch off, even when they’re physically exhausted. This becomes self-reinforcing over time.
Sleep-related anxiety Spending time in bed worrying about not sleeping creates a conditioned association between bed and wakefulness. The bedroom starts to feel like a place of stress rather than rest.
Medical conditions Chronic pain, sleep apnoea, thyroid disorders, menopause, acid reflux, and many other conditions can disrupt sleep. Treating the underlying condition often helps.
Medications Some medications interfere with sleep. It’s worth reviewing your current medications with your GP if sleep problems have developed or worsened.
Lifestyle factors Caffeine, alcohol, screen time, irregular sleep schedules, and shift work all affect sleep quality. These are worth addressing, though for chronic insomnia they’re rarely the whole story.
What Doesn’t Work Long Term
Sleep medications, while useful in some situations, are not a long-term solution for chronic insomnia. They can help in the short term but often lose effectiveness over time and carry risks including dependency and rebound insomnia when stopped.
Many people end up caught in a cycle of relying on medication to sleep while the underlying cause of the insomnia goes unaddressed.
What Actually Works
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
CBT-I is the most evidence-based treatment for chronic insomnia. It addresses the thoughts and behaviours that maintain poor sleep over time. Research consistently shows it outperforms sleep medication for long-term outcomes.
It involves techniques like sleep restriction therapy, stimulus control, and cognitive restructuring. It’s not about relaxation tips. It’s a structured approach that changes the relationship between you and sleep.
CBT-I can be delivered by a psychologist, and at Southport Metro, our onsite psychologist can provide this as part of your care.
Addressing underlying conditions
If anxiety, depression, sleep apnoea, or another condition is contributing to your insomnia, treating that condition is a critical part of the picture. Your GP can assess for sleep apnoea, refer you for investigation if needed, and help coordinate care.
When to See Your GP
If poor sleep has been affecting your quality of life for more than a few weeks, it’s worth coming in. There’s a lot your GP can do, from investigating underlying causes to putting together a proper treatment plan.
You don’t have to just manage with it.
Book at Southport Metro Doctors
No referral needed. We’re open 7 days a week at Australia Fair Metro Shopping Centre in Southport.
Book online or call us on 07 5612 7830.
This article is for general informational purposes only. Please speak with your GP for advice tailored to your personal health circumstances.