Insomnia
Adult & Adolescent Psychiatrist, ADHD Specialist & Couples Therapist located in Ann Arbor, MI
Up to 70 million Americans have insomnia, a disorder that makes it difficult to fall or stay asleep. At my practice, Steven L. Gotlib, MD, PC, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I am a board-certified psychiatrist. I work with adults and teens to diagnose and treat insomnia. A combination of therapy, sleep hygiene, dream work, and, if needed, medication can help you get a better night’s sleep. Call the office or reach out online to request an insomnia consultation today.
Insomnia makes it hard to fall or stay asleep. Everyone experiences insomnia at one time or another, but if it becomes a regular problem, it’s time to seek professional help. Without treatment, insomnia increases your risk of more serious health problems, including heart disease and dementia.
Symptoms of insomnia include:
Insomnia can affect your performance at work, increasing the risk of accidents and mistakes.
Make an appointment with me, Dr. Steven Gotlib, if insomnia is becoming a problem.. That’s particularly true if you experience a change in your outlook or mood, like losing interest in activities you typically love.
Insomnia occurs for various reasons, including:
Certain medical conditions increase the risk of insomnia, including asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
First, I recommend that a patient have a thorough physical examination by their primary care physician to rule out medical problems or vitamin deficiencies. Medical problems could include thyroid problems or heart problems, among other things.
Insomnia is typically diagnosed based on the patient's self-reported symptoms, medical history, and a physical examination. I may ask you to keep a sleep diary, which records information about your sleep patterns, behaviors, and any symptoms you experience. Additionally, a sleep study, such as a polysomnogram, may help evaluate your sleep and detect any underlying sleep disorders.
Next, I ask about your sleep routine. Question you about your sleep hygiene (how you set up your bedroom and what kind of a schedule you have around sleep). It also may be helpful to use a sleep diary to track your bedtime, wake time, and any problems you experience over several weeks.
I may recommend that you talk to a pulmonologist/sleep physician to get a sleep study to monitor your brainwaves, heart rate, breathing, and muscle movements during sleep. A Sleep Study helps identify medical issues that might contribute to poor sleep.
Treatment of insomnia depends on various factors, but I typically recommend a combination of therapy and healthy lifestyle changes. Additionally, medications may be helpful depending on your situation.
There are several types of therapy I may recommend:
At first, it may take some trial and error to determine the things that most benefit you.
Call my practice, Steven L. Gotlib, MD, PC, to talk to me and learn more about the treatment of insomnia today. You can also schedule an appointment online.