Insomnia - Symptoms

Some people with insomnia have trouble falling asleep. Others are able to fall asleep but wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back asleep. Or they doze off but sleep very lightly. People with insomnia wake up in the morning tired and unrested. They continue to be exhausted throughout the day. These sleep patterns are common among the elderly and among those who are depressed (see depressive disorders entry).

Sometimes sleep patterns are reversed. For example, a person may find it difficult to stay awake during the day and may take many naps. Then, at night, they find it hard to go to sleep or to stay asleep.