Mental Health Foundation states insomnia carries some typical traits which are namely¹:

• Finding it hard to get to sleep
• Problems staying asleep
• Waking up several times in the night
• Waking up too early and finding it hard to get back to sleep
• Sleepiness, anxiety, reduced concentration and memory problems in the daytime

People can suffer from insomnia for the short term and this can last between a couple of nights or weeks and could be related to the following reasons:

• Stress – could be for a number of different reason such as work, family, financial worries and health problems
• Change in noise or temperature –noisy environment, bright lights and incorrect temperature
• Change of routine – sleeping at different times/napping in the day
• Side effect from medication – antidepressants, blood pressure tablets, epilepsy, corticosteroids and NSAIDs. Please refer these to the pharmacist as this would be an opportunity to deliver a prescription intervention.

Chronic insomnia can last a month or longer and can stem from a number of factors in relation to physical and mental health problems. Long term consumption of alcohol or caffeine can also disrupt sleep.

^{1 Mental Health Foundation – Sleep www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/s/sleep}