Explanations for Insomnia Flashcards
What is insomnia?
Habitual sleeplessness, with sufferers struggling to fall asleep and remain sleep
Insomnia can occur in..
short term bouts or can be chronic, lasting 1 month+
What is primary insomnia?
when the disorder is the issue in itself with no apparent cause
-individuals primary problem
What might primary insomnia be attributed to?
bad habits such as staying up late or stress, but psycho states are not the main problem
What is secondary insomnia
- Most common type
- Product of other factors, whether mental/psycho/env
- Common characteristic symptom of mental illness
What would happen to the insomnia if the underlying cause was treated?
It would make insomnia go away
How is teenage years a risk factor of insomnia?
- Circadian rhythms often shift
- 4000 adolescent study, 25% displayed symptoms of insomnia
How is old age a risk factor of insomnia?
- Decreased SWS, making it easy to wake up
- Medical illness
How is female-ness a risk factor of insomnia?
Hormone changes
How can personality cause insomnia?
People who tend to internalise issues suffer more as it leads to heightened anxiety, think more about their issues
What are the 4 risk factors for insomnia?
Teenage years, old age, womanliness, personality
What is one issue regarding insomnia ?
Importance of distinguishing between primary and secondary insomnia
Why is it important to distinguish between P&S insomnia
-If secondary, then the root cause can be addressed, allowing people to take steps in right direction to end their discomfort RATHER than treating symptoms which may be a WOT
However, it may be that insomnia is a cause rather than a consequence..
-15,000 European study found insomnia often preceded a mood disorder rather than being a symptom , e.g. was primary
What does primary insomnia mean for treatment?
It should be treated in itself rather than seeking underlying causes
Criticism of risk factors as an explanation?
Other factors may influence its onset such as predisposing, precipitating and perpeptuating factors, which may be ignored
Who proposed the PPP factors as explanation?
Spielman proposed these components as an explanation
What are predisposing factors?
- Some may be genetically predisposed
- Twin study found 50% variance that can be accredited to genetic factors
What are perpetuating?
Falty thinnking - negative mindset - poor sleep hygiene can arise
What do the PPP factors show?
There is a combination of risk factors rather than just the one
What is a benefit of research into insomnia?
- By understanding causes, people can learn to overcome them
- Good sleep hygiene
- Ideas can be applied to those suffering from insomnia
A second positive application of research?
- Linked to cog approach
- People can change their faulty thinking
- When given pill containing stimulant, P’s slept better because attributed their arousal with pill rather than themselves
- Improve lives?
