The main symptoms of insomnia are difficulty falling asleep, repeated waking in the night, waking too early, daytime tiredness and irritability, trouble concentrating, and distress or worry around sleep. It is likely to be chronic insomnia when some of these symptoms persist for weeks or months and start to affect your daily functioning. The good news is that there is a proven treatment that helps.
Do I have symptoms of insomnia?
Many people who struggle with their sleep are not sure whether what they are experiencing is genuinely insomnia. Here are the main signs that will help you recognise it.
Key symptoms of insomnia
- 😴 Difficulty falling asleep – lying in bed for a long time before sleep comes
- 🌙 Repeated waking in the night – waking several times and finding it hard to get back to sleep
- ⏰ Waking too early – waking early in the morning and being unable to get back to sleep
- 😤 Daytime tiredness and irritability – feeling unrested despite spending a long time in bed
- 🧠 Difficulty concentrating – reduced functioning at work, in study or in everyday life
- 😟 Distress around sleep – anxiety about the night or frustration at being unable to sleep
When does it count as chronic insomnia?
An occasional bad night is normal — almost everyone has them, especially during stressful periods. It may be chronic insomnia when some of these symptoms persist for a significant period and begin to affect your daily functioning. As a clinical guide, the difficulty typically occurs at least three nights a week for three months or more, despite having adequate opportunity to sleep.
In short
It may be insomnia if some of these symptoms persist for a significant period and impair your day-to-day functioning. The good news: there is a proven treatment that helps.
What can you do about it?
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the number-one recommended treatment for insomnia worldwide, endorsed by NICE, the NHS and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. It is a short, focused therapy that teaches you how to break the insomnia cycle and return to natural, stable sleep — without sleeping tablets.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common symptoms of insomnia?
The most common symptoms are difficulty falling asleep, waking repeatedly in the night, waking too early, daytime tiredness and irritability, difficulty concentrating, and worry or distress around sleep.
How do I know if I have chronic insomnia?
It is likely to be chronic insomnia when the difficulty occurs at least three nights a week for three months or more and starts to affect your mood, concentration or functioning during the day.
Can insomnia symptoms be treated without medication?
Yes. CBT-I is the first-line treatment recommended by NICE and the NHS, and it works without sleeping tablets by changing the habits and thoughts that keep insomnia going.