All of us suffer from occasional insomnia, but it sounds as if you’re dealing with a chronic problem. The first thing you need to do is make an appointment with your family physician in order to rule out potential physical causes. If your doctor gives you a clean bill of health then it’s likely that your insomnia is being caused by anxiety or depression.
Anxiety-induced insomnia is fairly common. We all know what it’s like to lie awake for hours thinking about our worries and concerns. Depression is a more serious issue. It can cause changes in the chemistry of the brain which can lead either to trouble sleeping or another phenomenon called “early morning awakening,” a condition in which the individual wakes up in the wee hours of the morning and has difficulty falling asleep again.
Is it possible that your difficulty sleeping is related to anxious concerns about problems in other areas of your life? Are you worried about your job, a relationship, or some troubling development in your family? If so, it might help to talk to someone about these issues – perhaps a pastor or a church elder or a trusted friend. If you think it would be helpful, we would like to invite you to call and speak with one of our counselors over the phone.
If, on the other hand, you suspect that you may be suffering from clinical depression, it’s important to have your situation evaluated by a physician or a qualified psychologist. Our counselors can refer you to licensed Christian practitioners in your area.
Resources
If a title is currently unavailable through Focus on the Family, we encourage you to use another retailer.
The Anxiety Cure: A Proven Method for Dealing with Worry, Stress, and Panic Attacks
Other books on Anxiety
Anxiety and Depression shows
Referrals
Hart Institute
Articles
