Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep problem but is often also a symptom of an underlying mental health issue. At Gladwell LLC, a telehealth-based psychiatric and mental health practice in Renton, Washington, board-certified nurse practitioner Catherine Donnerstag, NP, understands the connection between mental health and insomnia and provides comprehensive care to improve sleep and mental well-being. Call today or book an appointment online to get help for your insomnia. Telehealth services are available to patients in Maryland and Washington, with an on-site office opening soon in Seattle.

I have trouble sleeping. When is insomnia a problem?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes you to have a hard time falling or staying asleep. You can suffer from short-term insomnia when you’re stressed or have a change in your usual routine. Having a hard time sleeping for a few days or weeks isn’t a serious mental or physical health concern.

But if you have difficulty falling and staying asleep three or more nights a week for over three weeks, you have long-term insomnia. Ongoing insomnia often indicates that an underlying health problem is causing your sleep troubles.

Not getting adequate sleep for an extended period can make the underlying health problem worse or cause new health problems.

If you have long-term insomnia, schedule a consultation at Gladwell LLC for high-quality care.

What is the connection between insomnia and mental health?

About 50% of insomnia cases accompany mental health problems like depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety. The type of sleep problem you’re having helps Catherine pinpoint the root cause of your insomnia.

If you wake up too early and feel tired and sad, you could have depression. If you have difficulty falling asleep because you have too much energy, you might be experiencing a manic or hypomanic episode that occurs with bipolar disorder. If you have panic attacks when sleeping, you probably have a panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder.

Untreated insomnia can cause your mental health symptoms to get worse.

What can I expect during an insomnia evaluation?

You can expect a patient-centered insomnia evaluation at Gladwell LLC. Catherine asks about your sleep routine and sleep problems. She reviews your medical and mental health histories and does a psychological assessment to confirm or rule out a mental health problem.

How is insomnia treated?

Catherine takes a traditional, evidence-based approach to care but tailors your insomnia treatment to your personal needs. Treating insomnia can include psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.

Catherine might also recommend medication management to treat underlying mental health conditions to reduce symptoms and improve sleep.

Sleep problems and mental health concerns go hand-in-hand. Call Gladwell LLC today or schedule your insomnia consultation online.