Is Insomnia Zapping Your Energy and Motivation?
- Do you have trouble falling asleep?
- Is it hard to shut off your brain?
- Are you waking up tired?
Insomnia And How It Can Affect You
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders. Some studies estimate that between 10 and 30 percent of the global population suffers from insomnia, with some studies placing that number much higher.
Symptoms of insomnia may include:
- Decreased energy
- Lower motivation
- Frustration
- Impaired problem-solving
- Difficulty with focus
- Memory problems
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
As a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Psychopharmacologist, I can provide evidence-based treatment for insomnia that may include therapy, medication management, or both.
Causes of Insomnia
Many underlying factors can contribute to insomnia, and they’re not always obvious. Here are some of the common potential causes of insomnia:
- Stress related to work or your personal life
- Challenges in your relationship
- Having a new baby
- Financial worries
- Environmental factors including noise, lights, and pets
- Medical problems
- Medication side effects
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Anxiety
- Depression
Insomnia Treatment
Insomnia isn’t always the result of stress or anxiety, so we will assess all the aspects of your life and sleep habits that may contribute to the issue. At the same time, I’ll help you better understand the environmental and psychological issues that can affect sleep and teach you specific strategies that can improve your sleep quality.
What To Expect From Our Insomnia Treatment Sessions
To maximize our time together, I’ll ask you to complete a detailed intake assessment before we meet to dive right into the therapeutic process.
Getting started, we’ll first explore many factors about your insomnia:
- When did your sleep issues start—or get worse?
- Are you having difficulty going to sleep, staying asleep, or waking up refreshed?
- How is this affecting you throughout the day?
- Have there been any changes at work or in your personal life?
- Do you have a family history of sleep disorders or other psychological problems?
- Has your doctor recently prescribed you any new medications?
- Do you struggle with other medical issues like acid reflux or asthma?
- Have you noticed changes in your overall health, such as appetite, sex drive, or hair loss?
Throughout the process, I’ll ask you to keep a regular journal detailing your sleep patterns and daily habits so we can monitor your symptoms and track the effects of treatment.
Once we identify the factors contributing to your insomnia, we will collaboratively discuss a treatment plan. As a Board-Certified Psychopharmacologist and Psychiatrist, I can provide psychotherapy and medication treatment for insomnia. We will discuss the different treatment options as well as the pros and cons of each option.
How I Treat Insomnia and What You Can Hope to Achieve
As discussed above, depending on the assessment outcome, treatment may include specific, proven cognitive behavioral therapy strategies and medications when appropriate.
One approach I use is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), which has been shown to help between 50 to 70 percent of patients improve their sleep—without medication.
CBT for insomnia provides strategies to make behavioral and environmental adjustments to improve sleep hygiene. For instance, I may recommend going to bed at the same time every night, reducing caffeine consumption, exercising earlier in the day, or eliminating ambient light in the bedroom. I can also teach you effective mindfulness-based skills for falling asleep and staying asleep.
If You Are Struggling with a Sleep Disorder, Treatment Can Help
Insomnia can slowly zap you of your energy, motivation, and potential. However, I’ve been helping patients overcome insomnia through therapy and medication treatment for over 20 years, and I know that it is possible for you to get the restorative sleep your body and brain need.
Perhaps You Are Considering Insomnia Treatment, But You Still Have Some Concerns…
Do I have to take medication?
There are many options for alleviating insomnia. Sleep medications are optional. We will discuss the pros and cons of different treatment options, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and medications, to create your individualized treatment strategy.
I don’t want to feel hungover.
Although some individuals have had that experience, most patients report feeling refreshed in the morning. I start with low dosages of medications for insomnia. You will also keep a sleep journal to record your progress.
I have never taken medication for anything. What if I get addicted?
Some medications carry a risk of addiction and others do not. Before I prescribe any treatment, we’ll thoroughly discuss the benefits AND any possible side-effects. We’ll work collaboratively to determine which treatment best suits your specific needs and goals.
Learn More About Treatment For Your Insomnia
Insomnia affects many aspects of your life—treatment can help. To learn more, contact me at 212-631-8010 or scott@scottshapiromd.com for a brief phone consultation at no charge to discuss if I can be of help.
