Insomnia treatment available online today

The three types of insomnia are acute, transient, and chronic insomnia:

• Acute insomnia lasts up to one month. It often results from situational stress and resolves when the trigger (i.e., a physical illness) is no longer present.

• Transient insomnia lasts for less than one week. It's often caused by interruptions in sleep patterns or outside stressors, such as jet lag.

• Chronic insomnia lasts for more than one month. Chronic insomnia is often caused by chronic health conditions or mental health conditions.

Acute and chronic insomnia share similar symptoms, including:

• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

• Fatigue and low energy

• Difficulties with memory and concentration

• Challenges with career or academic performance

• Mood and behavioral disturbances

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the first-line treatment of insomnia. CBT focuses on identifying problematic thoughts that cause sleep disturbances. By developing healthy coping strategies, you can learn how to replace negative thoughts with more positive ones and improve your sleep quality.

Other insomnia tips may involve behavioral changes. Practicing good sleep habits, such as refraining from screen time before bed, can help you get better sleep. If your insomnia symptoms interfere with your quality of life, your doctor may also recommend sleep medication. 

The three main causes of insomnia are stress, anxiety, and depression. If you're experiencing sleep problems or difficulties, talk to your doctor to identify the root cause of your insomnia.

Yes, you can get a prescription for insomnia if your doctor determines that sleep aids are medically necessary. Not all cases of insomnia are treated with sleep medicine, but for people with chronic insomnia, prescription sleep medicine can significantly improve sleep quality.

Online doctors cannot prescribe controlled substances, such as Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, and Lorazepam. However, our online doctors can prescribe other sleep aids to help with insomnia treatment.

At PlushCare, our board-licensed doctors can prescribe non-controlled substances for insomnia treatment, such as:

• Trazodone (Desyrel)

• Amitriptyline

• Mirtazapine (Remeron)
  

No, insomnia is not considered a mental illness. However, insomnia may be a symptom of another mental health condition, such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder. Consult a doctor to learn more about how insomnia is diagnosed and what treatment options are available.

Yes, anxiety is a common cause of insomnia. If you have anxiety, constant feelings of worry and fear can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.

If you have insomnia, practicing healthy sleep habits can help promote sound sleep. Natural ways to minimize insomnia include:

• Following the same bedtime and wake time each day

• Only using your bed for sleep

• Get out of bed if falling asleep is taking too long

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine near bedtime

• Avoid watching TV or scrolling on your phone before bed

• Eat a balanced diet and stay active
  

Yes, you can get prescription sleep medications online through a prescription from a licensed doctor. Although our online doctors at PlushCare cannot prescribe controlled medications for sleep, we can still prescribe other effective prescription sleep medicine, such as:

• Trazodone (Desyrel)

• Amitriptyline

• Mirtazapine (Remeron)

Prescription sleep medications promote sound sleep. Unlike over-the-counter medications, prescription sleep medicines contain active ingredients that are too strong to sell over the counter.

Although the side effects of prescription sleep medicine vary from person to person, common side effects include:

• A burning sensation in the hands, feet, or legs

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Daytime memory and performance issues

• Sleep-related behaviors, such as driving or eating, when not fully awake

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Weight gain
  

Yes, research consistently shows that cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is an effective treatment option. CBT can promote sound sleep and relieve anxiety without the need for sleeping pills.