Primary Insomnia

Foods That Help or Harm Your Sleep Slideshow

• Primary Insomnia Overview
• Primary Insomnia Causes
• Primary Insomnia Symptoms
• Exams and Tests
• Primary Insomnia Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medications
• Other Therapy
• Next Steps
• Outlook
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Primary Insomnia Overview

Primary insomnia is sleeplessness that cannot be attributed to a medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause (such as drug abuse or medications). It is characterized by the following:

• A 1-month or longer history of at least one of the following: a) difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or b) nonrestorative sleep.
  
  
• Sleep disturbance (or associated daytime fatigue) causing significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.