What is Insomnia and How Do I Know I Need Help?

What is Insomnia and How Do I Know I Need Help?

Most of us have had nights where sleep just will not come. You might lie awake thinking about tomorrow, wake several times during the night, or find yourself staring at the clock far earlier than you would like. An occasional restless night is normal. But when poor sleep becomes a regular pattern and starts affecting your days, it may be insomnia.

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in Australia, with around one in three adults experiencing insomnia symptoms, and around 10 to 15% meeting the criteria for chronic insomnia.¹

What is insomnia?

Insomnia is a persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking earlier than you would like, despite having enough time and opportunity to sleep. It can be short-term, perhaps following a stressful event, illness or major life change, or it can become chronic and continue for three months or longer.²

Importantly, insomnia is not only about how many hours you sleep. It is also about how your sleep affects you during the day.

What does insomnia feel like?

Insomnia can look different from person to person. You might struggle to fall asleep at bedtime, wake repeatedly throughout the night or wake too early and be unable to drift off again. Even after spending enough time in bed, your sleep may feel light or unrefreshing.

The effects can follow you into the next day. Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, memory problems and changes in mood can all occur. Some people also begin worrying about whether they will sleep, which can make bedtime itself feel stressful.

Over time, people can fall into habits that unintentionally keep insomnia going. For example, spending longer in bed to catch up on sleep, lying awake trying hard to fall asleep or becoming increasingly worried about the consequences of a bad night can make sleep more difficult.

When should I get help?

A few poor nights do not necessarily mean you have insomnia. It is worth seeking help when sleep difficulties are happening regularly and are beginning to interfere with your everyday life.

Chronic insomnia is generally characterised by difficulty sleeping at least three nights per week for three months, despite having an adequate opportunity to sleep, together with an impact on daytime functioning.

You also do not need to wait until your sleep becomes severe before speaking to someone. If tiredness, concentration difficulties or persistent worry about sleep are affecting your work, relationships or daily activities, it is reasonable to seek advice.

What happens if I seek help?

Your GP is a good place to start. There is no single blood test or scan that diagnoses insomnia. Instead, your GP will usually ask about your sleep patterns, how long the problem has been occurring and how it affects you during the day. They may suggest keeping a sleep diary and can also investigate other possible causes of disrupted sleep, including sleep apnea or other health conditions.

Most importantly, insomnia is treatable. If poor sleep has become a regular part of your life or is affecting how you feel and function during the day, speak with your GP. You do not have to simply put up with ongoing sleepless nights, and getting the right support can be the first step towards sleeping well again.

References

1. Cleveland Clinic. “Insomnia.” Cleveland Clinic, 13 Feb. 2023, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12119-insomnia. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

2. “Insomnia Theory and Assessment.” Australian Journal of General Practice, 2022, https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2019/april/insomnia-theory-and-assessment. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.