Insomnia

Insomnia affects your physical and emotional well-being and is a common symptom of mental illness. If you’re having a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep, Yung Park, MD, Kevin Lemaire, DO, Sima Paul, MD, Lesley Cano, PMHNP-BC, and the skilled team at Elevate Medical in New York City can help. They provide online evaluations, therapy, and support for insomnia from their Midtown Manhattan office. Call today or schedule your virtual visit using the website’s booking button.

What is insomnia?

Insomnia describes having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. It’s the most common sleep disorder and is acute or chronic.

Acute insomnia

Acute insomnia is a short disruption in sleep usually brought on by stress, resolving on its own within a few days or weeks.

Chronic insomnia

Chronic insomnia is when you struggle getting to sleep or staying asleep for three or more nights a week over several weeks. This type of insomnia may occur from many different causes. 

Shift workers and new moms may also experience chronic insomnia.

Why do I have insomnia?

Insomnia has many causes, like a change in routine, not getting enough exercise during the day, or getting too much stimulation before bed. Genetics and age are also factors that may increase your risk of insomnia.

However, insomnia is a common symptom of mental health conditions, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Addiction
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Finding the root cause of your insomnia helps direct treatment. 

When should I worry about insomnia?

You should worry about insomnia if you have trouble sleeping three or more nights a week for several weeks in a row. Chronic insomnia can lead to physical and mental health problems. 

If your lack of sleep affects your mood or ability to manage your daily responsibilities, it’s time to reach out for help.

Elevate Medical treats all ages with specialists in geriatric psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. Whether it’s you, your parent, or your child, Elevate Medical can help you sleep better.

What treatments improve my insomnia?

The Elevate Medical team conducts a thorough evaluation before making treatment recommendations for insomnia. They review your lifestyle, health history, and existing medical conditions, ruling out underlying medical conditions as the cause of your insomnia.

Treatment for insomnia starts with lifestyle changes, such as:

• Establishing a regular bedtime
• Waking up at the same time every day
• Avoiding caffeine in the late afternoon and evening
• Turning off electronics an hour before bed
• Keeping your bedroom cool and dark

The team also treats any underlying mental health condition that contributes to your insomnia, providing personalized psychotherapy and medication management.

If you can’t sleep and it’s affecting your physical and emotional health, call Elevate Medical or click the online booking button for help.