1 definition by Five Six Five
Insomnia is a sleeping disorder. There are various different types of insomnia, depending on a number of factors.
Transitory insomnia affects an individual for only a few nights. Short term insomnia may last several days or a couple weeks. Chronic insomnia lasts several weeks or even months.
Insomnia may affect different parts of the sleep cycle. A person with insomnia may have little trouble falling asleep, but find that they wake up after only a few hours and cannot fall back asleep for several more, if at all. A person may also have immense difficulty falling asleep, only to find that they can't stay asleep for any meaningful length of time.
Having a sleep cycle longer or shorter than 24 hours does not necessarily constitute insomnia, however it may be a sign of another sleeping disorder, and should not be ignored. Staying up late and sleeping in is not insomnia either, as insomnia constitutes an inability to get enough sleep, and not an inability (or unwillingness) to get to sleep at the right time. Many people believe that they have insomnia, or claim to have insomnia, who actually only have one of the above problems.
Transitory insomnia affects an individual for only a few nights. Short term insomnia may last several days or a couple weeks. Chronic insomnia lasts several weeks or even months.
Insomnia may affect different parts of the sleep cycle. A person with insomnia may have little trouble falling asleep, but find that they wake up after only a few hours and cannot fall back asleep for several more, if at all. A person may also have immense difficulty falling asleep, only to find that they can't stay asleep for any meaningful length of time.
Having a sleep cycle longer or shorter than 24 hours does not necessarily constitute insomnia, however it may be a sign of another sleeping disorder, and should not be ignored. Staying up late and sleeping in is not insomnia either, as insomnia constitutes an inability to get enough sleep, and not an inability (or unwillingness) to get to sleep at the right time. Many people believe that they have insomnia, or claim to have insomnia, who actually only have one of the above problems.
The author of this definition fell asleep at about 8:30 PM last night, and woke up at about 12:00 AM. It is now about 7:00 AM, and he has still not been able to return to sleep, despite attempts to sedate himself repeatedly with milk, music, and masturbation. This difficulty has persisted in a like manner for several weeks. It is likely that he suffers from some form of insomnia.
by Five Six Five November 14, 2009