Insomnia After Brain Injury: Why Falling Asleep Becomes a Challenge August 28, 2025 Last week marked Brain Injury Awareness Week, a timely reminder of the hidden challenges faced by the thousands of Australians living with a brain injury. Beyond the obvious physical and cognitive difficulties, one of the most frustrating and often overlooked consequences is insomnia. Why Sleep Becomes Difficult After Brain Injury Insomnia is surprisingly common after brain injury. For example, research shows that around 29% of patients develop insomnia after a mild traumatic brain injury.1 And this is only one slice of the picture—many other types of acquired brain injuries (from stroke, infections, hypoxia, or tumours) can also disrupt sleep. Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good-quality sleep, even when the time and environment allow for it.2 It often leaves people feeling unrefreshed in the morning and can interfere with daily functioning. One explanation is that brain injury can disrupt the normal release of neurotransmitters that regulate sleep, causing “sleep fragmentation.”3 This means the brain repeatedly pulls the body out of deeper sleep stages, leaving people unrefreshed in the morning. Other factors add to the struggle. Headaches, neck and back pain make it harder to get comfortable.3 Stress and anxiety often keep the mind racing, making it nearly impossible to switch off.3 And if the injury has affected the brain’s sleep regulation centres—such as the hypothalamus or brain stem—problems can become even more pronounced.1 How Common Is the Problem? Brain injury is far more common than most people realise. In Australia4: 1 in 45 Australians live with a brain injury. Every 4 minutes someone is hospitalised for a head injury. Falls cause around 39% of brain injuries, while motor vehicle and cycling accidents account for 31%. Other causes include strokes, hypoxia, infections, tumours, and substance-related brain damage. Almost three-quarters of people with a brain injury are under 65, and one in four hospitalisations are among those aged 15–24.4 It’s a health challenge that touches all walks of life. What Can Help Improve Sleep? The good news is that there are practical strategies that can help. The first step is usually lifestyle adjustments5: Keep a consistent sleep and wake schedule. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and heavy meals in the evening. Exercise daily and get natural sunlight where possible. Make the bedroom a calm, dark, and quiet space dedicated only to rest. Relaxation strategies such as meditation, stretching, or a soothing bedtime routine can also make a difference.5 In some cases, medical support is needed, including sleep studies, therapy, or—where appropriate—medication.5 The Bigger Picture Poor sleep isn’t just frustrating—it can worsen memory, focus, and overall quality of life.6 Research indicates that disrupted sleep following a brain injury can slow recovery and contribute to greater functional impairment and poorer outcomes.7,8 That’s why it’s important to take insomnia after brain injury seriously. If you or someone you love has experienced a brain injury and struggles with sleep, don’t dismiss it as “just part of recovery.” Speak to your doctor. With the right support, restful nights can become possible again. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time. If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply. References O’Reilly, Gerard M., et al. “The Australian Traumatic Brain Injury National Data (ATBIND) Project: A Mixed Methods Study Protocol.” Medical Journal of Australia, vol. 217, no. 7, 22 Aug. 2022, mja.com.au. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “Insomnia - What Is Insomnia?” nhlbi.nih.gov, 2022. “Sleep Issues.” Synapse, 8 Mar. 2025, synapse.org.au. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. “Brain Injury Key Facts & Figures.” Synapse, 5 Oct. 2023, synapse.org.au. “Sleep and Traumatic Brain Injury | Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC).” msktc.org. Suni, Eric, and Nilong Vyas. “How Lack of Sleep Impacts Cognitive Performance and Focus.” Sleep Foundation, 18 July 2023, sleepfoundation.org. Oxford Health NHS. “Sleep Disruption after Brain Injury Is Associated with Worse Motor Outcomes and Slower Functional Recovery.” ORKA (Beta), 28 May 2025, oxfordhealth.nhs.uk. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Kalmbach, David A., et al. “Poor Sleep Is Linked to Impeded Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury.” Sleep, vol. 41, no. 10, 1 Oct. 2018, doi.org.
