Medical condition

Insomnia and sleep disturbance

Difficulty falling or staying asleep that affects daytime functioning. It is called short-term if it lasts less than 3 months, and long-term if it lasts 3 months or more.

Medical taxonomy

Diseases of the nervous system

Taxonomy is used to organize content and does not represent a diagnosis.

Common causes

Often linked to stress or sleep habits; sometimes another underlying medical or mental-health condition.

Risk factors

Stress and anxiety, irregular sleep schedules, or late caffeine intake.

Red flags — seek urgent care

Insomnia accompanied by thoughts of self-harm or marked decline in daily functioning.

Suggested next step

Keep a consistent sleep schedule and reduce evening caffeine; seek medical review if insomnia lasts 3 months or more, or is severely affecting daily life.