Sleep restriction refers another non-medical behavioral therapy for insomnia which involves limiting the time spent in bed for sleeping only. Many people with insomnia may stay in bed for a long time after they wake up in the morning. This over-sleeping may disrupt the circadian rhythm and make sleep initiation more difficult the following night.
» Read more: What is sleep restriction?

Stimulus control refers to techniques used to help with initiating sleep. These techniques are used to induce an environment in the bedroom that promotes sleep. Some simple steps include:

* Use the bed only for having sex and sleeping, not working, reading, watching TV, eating, or other mentally stimulating activities.
» Read more: How can stimulus control help with insomnia?

Sleep hygiene is one of the components of non-medical treatments for insomnia and includes simple steps that may improve initiation and maintenance of sleep. Sleep hygiene consists of the following strategies:

* Sleep as much as possible to feel rested, then get out of bed (do not over-sleep).
» Read more: What is sleep hygiene?

There are several recommended techniques used in treating people with insomnia. These are non-medical strategies and are generally advised to be practiced at home in combination with other remedies for insomnia, such as medical treatments for insomnia and treatment for any underlying medical or psychiatric disorders.
» Read more: What are non-medical treatments for insomnia?

The treatment of insomnia depends largely on the cause of the problem. In cases where an obvious situational factor is responsible for the insomnia, correcting or removing the cause generally cures the insomnia. For example, if insomnia is related to a transient stressful situation, such as jet lag or an upcoming examination, then insomnia will be cured when the situation resolves.
» Read more: How is insomnia treated?

Evaluation and diagnosis of insomnia may start with a thorough medical and psychiatric patient history taken by the physician. As mentioned above, many medical and psychiatric conditions can be responsible for insomnia.
» Read more: How is insomnia diagnosed?

In general, insomnia related to transient situational factors resolves spontaneously when the provoking factor is removed or corrected. However, medical evaluation by a doctor may be necessary if the insomnia persists or it is thought to be related to a medical or a psychiatric condition.
» Read more: When should I call the doctor about insomnia?

Impairment of daytime functioning is the defining and the most common symptom of insomnia.

Other common symptoms include:

* daytime fatigue,

* daytime sleepiness,

* mood changes,

* poor attention and concentration,

* lack of energy,

* anxiety,
» Read more: What are the symptoms of insomnia?

There are no specific risk factors for insomnia because of the variety of underlying causes that may lead to insomnia. The medical and psychiatric conditions listed earlier may be considered risk factors for insomnia if untreated or difficult to treat.
» Read more: What are the risk factors for insomnia?

Besides the conditions listed previously, there are other types of insomnia that are not necessarily linked to an underlying condition. Some of the common types of insomnia are listed in this section.

Psychophysiological insomnia
» Read more: What are other causes of insomnia?