Insomnia/Disrupted Sleep Patterns Insomnia is a disorder in which people are unable to get enough, or enough restorative sleep because of one or more factors. People with insomnia often have daytime symptoms related to a lack of sleep, such as daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and decreased mental clarity. Not all disruptions in the normal pattern of sleeping and waking are considered insomnia. Such factors as jet lag, unusually high levels of stress, changing work shifts, or other drastic changes in the person's routine can all lead to sleep problems. Unless the problems are ongoing and severe enough that they are causing distress for the person in important areas of life, he or she is not considered to have insomnia. Insomnia is a common complaint with stress. Naturally you cannot sleep if your brain is still alert and worrying about many things.   The National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research has estimated the total economic cost of insomnia -- including stress related, reduced workplace productivity - is approximately $150 billion US per year   Nearly 84 million Americans are affected by insomnia each year, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Insomnia may be caused by many things, such as a change in sleeping or daily environments; a new home or job; jet lag; a new work schedule; pain from arthritis, headache, menstrual cramps, or backache; stress or anxiety; or use of certain medications.   Types of Insomnia Transient: This refers to a person's inability to sleep normally for a few nights. Short-term: Times of ongoing stress may result in two to three weeks of poor sleep. Relief from the stressful situation will usually return sleep to normal. Chronic: This occurs when sleep is disturbed most nights for several months. Causes of Insomnia Physical: Any painful condition can affect sleep quality. Psychological: Stress, anxiety, depression and learned insomnia (people who sleep poorly in times of stress worry about not being able to function the next day. They resolve to try harder to sleep and this effort makes them more alert and sets off a new round of worried thoughts.) Lifestyle: Stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine especially near bedtime, can disturb sleep. Alcohol may induce sleep but may also make sleep more fragile and broken during the night. Irregular hours, late hours at weekends as well as shift work may undermine sleep.   Effects of Insomnia/ Disrupted Sleep pattern. Disturbed sleep may lead to daytime problems such as tiredness, poor concentration and difficulties with short term memory Untreated insomnia has potentially serious consequences, including an increased risk of accidents especially motor vehicle accidents, impaired school or job performance, and a high rate of absenteeism from work