What is the definition of insomnia and how is it diagnosed?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and being unable to return to sleep. It is typically diagnosed by evaluating a person's sleep patterns, medical history, and how poor sleep impacts daily functioning such as energy, mood, focus, and overall health.

Because insomnia can stem from many underlying causes—ranging from stress and anxiety to medical conditions or medication side effects—understanding the root of your symptoms is the first step toward better sleep. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you identify possible causes, clarify what to discuss with your doctor, and guide your next steps with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of insomnia Learn if insomnia needs care today Find out what may be causing insomnia See OTC options for sleeplessness relief Find an insomnia specialist near you Understand effective home remedies for insomnia Check if your insomnia needs treatment

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Explanation

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder where a person has difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. This can lead to feeling tired during the day and can affect daily activities.

How is Insomnia Diagnosed?

Sleep History: A doctor will ask about sleep patterns, like how long it takes to fall asleep, how often you wake up, and how rested you feel.
Impact on Daily Life: The doctor will also check how sleep problems affect your day, like feeling sleepy or having trouble concentrating.
Other Factors: Sometimes, other health problems or stress can cause insomnia. The doctor might ask about these too.

If you are having trouble with sleep and it is affecting your life, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider. To help identify what might be causing your sleep issues, you can take a free symptom checker test to get personalized insights about your symptoms.

(References)

Sutton EL. (2021). Insomnia. Annals of internal medicine, 33683929.
Ohayon MM. (2002). Epidemiology of insomnia: what we know and what we still .... Sleep medicine reviews, 12531146.
Kayukawa Y, Kitajima T, Tomita S, & Okada T. (2009). [Primary insomnia]. Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine, 19768930.

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