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Dr. Ashish Kumar Mittal MBBS, MD Psychiatry (AIIMS) MIPS, MIASP Sleep problem specialist

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Sleeplessness or insomnia is a sleep disorder in which there is an inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep as long as desired. Dr Mittal treat several cases of sleep problem in Gurgaon daily. He provides his services in Columbia Asia Hospital, Apollo Clinic and Confidence Clinic.

Common causes of insomnia in clinical population:

• Poor sleep Hygiene: most common cause
• Psychological causes: Stress, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar illness and substance use (certain medications, herbs, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, MDMA, modafinil, benzodiazepines, opioids or alcohol) etc.
• Neurological causes: Restless legs syndrome, Periodic limb movement disorder and sleep apnea etc.

Psychological problem not only causes insomnia, but insomnia increases severity of psychological problems further. Due to that person with sleep problem start self medicating self, which lead to addiction on alcohol or sleep medicines.

Case history is the main tool to diagnose patient problem. Some investigation like sleep study (Polysomnography), which is a costly investigation, required only in very few patients. It is used to rule out neurological causes of insomnia.

Before seeking any professional help a person can try following simple behavior modifications to improve sleep:

• Fix sleep and wake up time.
• Do not sleep in day time.
• Switch off net and television 30 minute before sleep.
• Daily morning brisk walk for 30 minute.
• Take light dinner.
• Avoid substance use (alcohol, nicotine or cocaine etc)

If problem do not resolve with these steps or suffering is much, then patient may seek professional help. In treatment apart from sleep, psychological wellbeing of the person should be main focus. Otherwise there are chances of recurrence of sleep problem.