What is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Insomnia?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between acute and chronic insomnia lies in the duration and frequency of the sleep disturbance.
Acute Insomnia:
- Lasts for up to 3 months.
- Often has a specific cause, such as stress, major life events, illness, or medications. -Symptoms may fade on their own as time passes and a person copes with the stressful incident.
Chronic Insomnia:
- Lasts for at least 3 nights a week for a month or longer.
- Can be caused by irregular sleep schedules, substances that interfere with sleep, depression, anxiety, or other underlying health conditions.
- Often requires treatment for the conditions or health problems that are keeping the person awake.
While both acute and chronic insomnia share similarities in symptoms, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, chronic insomnia is more challenging to manage due to the varying underlying causes and its longer duration. It is essential to consult with a physician to determine the appropriate treatment and management strategies for each type of insomnia.
Comparative Table: Acute vs Chronic Insomnia
Here is a table comparing acute and chronic insomnia:
| Feature | Acute Insomnia | Chronic Insomnia |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Lasts for less than 3 months | Persists for 3 months or longer |
| Causes | Stress, new environment, unfamiliarity, excessive noise or light, extremes of temperature, uncomfortable bed or mattress, new job or school, relocation, jet lag, work deadlines, death of a relative, relationship difficulties, physical discomfort, certain medications, acute illness, and allergies | Chronic medical conditions such as acid reflux disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, and chronic pain; psychological conditions like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder |
| Prevalence | More common in women than men, can arise during pregnancy and menopause | Less common than acute insomnia, but more difficult to manage due to varying underlying causes |
| Symptoms | Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or trouble getting restful, uninterrupted sleep | Same as acute insomnia, but symptoms persist for a longer duration |
Acute insomnia is a brief episode of difficulty sleeping, often caused by stress or environmental factors, and lasts for less than three months. Chronic insomnia, on the other hand, persists for three months or longer and is usually caused by underlying medical or psychological conditions.
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