PRIMARY INSOMNIA

Julie RamirezApril 19,

2012Period:1

Primary Insomnia: Sleepiness that cannot be attributed to a medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause (such as drug abuse or forms of medications)

Basically means that a person has sleeping problems that are not directly associated with any other health problems.

Associated Features

Experiencing difficulty to maintain sleep

Difficulty falling asleepConstant awakening

during sleepNon-restorative sleepRestless, light, or poor

quality of sleepSignificant distress or

impairment (anxiety or damages)

More FeaturesSymptoms of anxiety or depression that simply don’t meet their criteria.Poor concentration (unable to concentrate or having inattention may lead to accidents)Decrease in sleep efficiencyMuscle tensions are increased

Etiology-Psychophysiological insomnia

-Having a prolonged period of stress, having tensions and anxiety that that results from stress will cause one to keep awake.

- Frustration may lead to poor sleep hygiene

PrevalenceApproximately 1%- 10% in the general adult population .

Primary Insomnia 25% are elders-About 15%-25% of people with Insomnia are later diagnosed with primary insomnia.

The Treatment People with insomnia are given different tests and

exams- Tests are to eliminate the medical and psychiatric

causes of insomnia- The people are interviewed in regards to their sleep

habits.- -Are asked to keep a diary where they will describe their

previous night’s sleep.- Helps decrease the unwanted information that has been

recalled in the doctors office regarding their sleep information.

Sleep Latency Test

Measuring the amount of time it takes those with the disorder to fall asleep

Helps determine Vigilance ( the state in which a person is awake or alert)

People must make some modifications in their lifestyle.

Eliminate: caffeine, tobacco, or any alcohol

- Avoid eating big meals when near bedtime

- Avoid taking naps during the day

- Exercise! – It will help eliminate stress

Treatment

The use of Hypnotics becomes a good treatment

Hypnotics are medications (sleep tablets )that will cause drowsiness while

relaxing one’s muscles.

PrognosisApproximately 50%- 75% of people

with insomnia complaints appear to have chronic symptoms that last for more than a year.

Since the body needs sleep, it will often make adjustments to make up for the lack of sleep.

Probable Outcomes…

-Usage of stressors

-Stressors will cause one’s sleep to return to normality once they are no longer their concern.

Improving one’s amount of sleep will improve the quality of life

ReferencesAmerican psychiatric association: Diagnostic and

statistical manual of mental disorders. Washington, D.C, American psychiatric Association, 2000

Halgin,R.P & Whibourne, SK (2005) Abnormal psychiatric perspectives on psychological disorders.

[Ranjan].A (Primary insomnia) Retrieved from www.emedicinehealth.com/primary_insomnia/article.

Psychiatric disorders[AllPsycho] (http://allpsych.com/disorders/sleep/insomnia.html)

~DISCUSSION~-Does one have control over the prevention of primary insomnia? If so, how can one prevent it?-How can someone cope with having Primary Insomnia?