Sleep Problems and insomnia

 
 

What are sleep problems?

Sleep problems involve difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early—despite having the opportunity to rest. Poor sleep can affect mood, memory, concentration, and long-term health. It’s one of the most common and treatable mental health symptoms.

“I felt constantly wired but exhausted. I dreaded going to bed because I knew I’d be awake half the night.”

Different experiences of sleep problems

Occasional time-limited problems sleeping are relatively common in adults but sleep problems can become chronic, leading to fatigue, emotional instability, and reduced quality of life. Common patterns include insomnia, sleep-onset delay, early morning waking, and non-restorative sleep. Stress, anxiety, trauma, menopause, and chronic pain often trigger or exacerbate sleep difficulties. Some people also develop unhelpful cycles—worrying about sleep itself, or trying too hard to control it.

Sleep problems can be a symptom of many mental health problems (e.g., depression, generalised anxiety, or PTSD for example), but they can also exist on their own. Left untreated, they increase the risk of developing mental health conditions and reduce your resilience in everyday life. Fortunately, sleep issues respond well to psychological intervention.

“Helping patients sleep again transforms everything—mood, focus, even hope. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of our work.”

Symptoms of sleep problems

  • Difficulty falling asleep despite feeling tired
  • Waking up during the night or too early
  • Feeling unrefreshed after sleep
  • Racing thoughts or physical tension in bed
  • Dreading bedtime or associating bed with anxiety
  • Daytime fatigue, brain fog, or irritability
  • Sleep disrupted by pain, hormones, or trauma
  • Reliance on alcohol, screens, or medication to sleep
  • Anxiety or depression linked to poor rest
  • Social or occupational problems due to exhaustion
Our approach
 

Our approach to treating sleep problems

At Bloomfield Health, we begin with a comprehensive assessment to identify patterns, causes, and contributing factors. We offer evidence-based treatments such as CBT for insomnia (CBT-I)—the gold standard psychological therapy for sleep problems—as well as mindfulness-based approaches and sleep hygiene coaching. If sleep is disrupted by anxiety, menopause, or trauma, we will tailor your treatment as appropriate. Our goal is to help you break the cycle of poor sleep and regain confidence in your natural ability to rest.

 

Frequently asked questions

Most adults need 7–9 hours to feel rested and function optimally, but quality matters more than quantity. We help you find what works for your body.

CBT for insomnia helps change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours around sleep. It’s the most effective long-term treatment for insomnia.

Not always. It can occur on its own, but it often coexists with other conditions.

Not usually. Medication can help short-term, but therapy offers longer-lasting, safer solutions.

Yes. This is a common pattern, especially in depression or menopause, and responds well to structured psychological support.

Sleep hygiene refers to habits that support good sleep—like consistent routines, reduced screen time, and creating a calming environment to sleep in.

Yes. We offer trauma-informed approaches to address sleep disruption linked to PTSD or complex grief.

In most cases, yes. With the right support and strategies, restful sleep can be restored—even after years of difficulty.

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