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Rethink Insomnia

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Insomnia disorder is more than just trouble sleeping

For many people the impact of sleep disturbance caused by insomnia doesn’t just end when the night is over. They continue into the day – affecting your concentration, energy, mood, and performance – and can gradually interfere with daily functioning1. Over time, this daytime impact is often what makes sleep problems difficult to ignore.

Insomnia disorder is a 24h condition that affects both night-time sleep and
daytime functioning

Insomnia disorder is more than “just poor sleep”.

Often dismissed as simply “trouble sleeping”, insomnia disorder is a recognized, independent medical condition that may require treatment.

If you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep at least three times a week for three months or longer – and it affects how you feel or function during the day – you may be experiencing insomnia disorder.3,4

Living with ongoing sleep difficulties can affect daily life in ways that are easy to overlook, especially when work, personal responsibilities, and everyday demands continue to add up.2,3

Poor sleep often has its biggest impact during the day, showing up as:

  • Difficulty concentrating or staying focused2,3
  • Reduced performance or confidence at work5
  • Feeling emotionally drained or overwhelmed2,3
  • Reduced social interaction2

Discover Ruth’s story and hear from a leading medical expert on the science of insomnia disorder

Understanding insomnia disorder through patient stories

Discover Ruth’s story and hear from a leading medical expert on the science of insomnia disorder

Learn from Debbie’s experience with
insomnia disorder

Why does insomnia disorder
happen?

Insomnia disorder is more than “just poor sleep”

Why insomnia doesn’t always go away on its own?

Insomnia disorder is linked to increased alertness in the brain, meaning parts of the brain remain overactive at night. This can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up feeling restored.6,7,8 Persistent insomnia is not a personal failure, and it’s not something you’re expected to manage alone.
Because insomnia disorder is a chronic condition, it can continue over time and doesn’t always improve with short‑term or occasional solutions.9

Experts' insights on insomnia disorder

In 2 minutes or less, 10 short videos from Sleep Experts explore the causes, consequences, and broader impact of insomnia disorder across mental health and healthcare systems.

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In this video, Dr. Atul Khullar, a Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine Specialist from Canada, explains what insomnia disorder is and how it differs from occasional sleep difficulties. He also outlines its impact on daily fatigue, mood, and concentration.

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Dr. Poul Jennum, Clinical Neurophysiologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist from Denmark, and Dr. Atul Khullar from Canada, discuss the vital role of sleep in physical and mental health. They explain how disturbed sleep can negatively impact overall wellbeing and long-term functioning.

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Watch Dr. Anna Heidbreder, a Neurologist and Sleep Medicine Expert based in Austria, and Dr. Poul Jennum a Clinical Neurophysiologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist from Denmark discuss the short-term impact of insomnia disorder and how it can lead to daytime fatigue, impaired cognitive function, reduced performance, and an increased risk of accidents.

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Dr. Laura Palagini from Italy, Dr. Dieter Kunz from Germany, and Dr. Atul Khullar from Canada discuss the long-term consequences of insomnia disorder. They explore its links to metabolic, cardiovascular, and mental health disorders, and emphasizing the importance of early recognition and treatment.

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This video introduces gynecologist Dr. Santiago Palacios from Spain and Neurologist and Sleep Medicine Specialist Dr. Ramin Khatami from Switzerland as they discuss the link between menopause and insomnia disorder. They explain how hormonal changes, overactive brain, and symptoms such as hot flushes contribute to a higher risk of persistent sleep disturbances.

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Watch Dr. Ramin Khatami from Switzerland discussing the unmet needs in the management of insomnia disorder. Discover the importance of improving access to professional care, enhancing physician education, and allowing sufficient time for accurate diagnosis and patient assessment.

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Dr. Atul Khullar from Canada explores the burden of insomnia disorder on health and social care systems, including its impact on productivity, disability, healthcare costs, and its association with physical and mental health conditions.

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Discover how Dr. Anna Heidbreder from Austria explains the impact of insomnia disorder on mental health, including its link to mood disorders, the bidirectional relationship between insomnia and mental illness, and the importance of addressing both conditions together.

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In this video, Dr. Ramin Khatami – based in Switzerland – explains why insomnia disorder should be treated as an independent medical condition, highlighting the role of an overactive brain in maintaining sleep disturbances and outlining the serious long-term risks, including dementia, diabetes, and hypertension, if left untreated.

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Dr. Poul Jennum from Denmark, Dr. Atul Khullar from Canada, and Dr. Ramin Khatami from Switzerland highlight why sleep health should be a priority. They explain the 24-hour impact of insomnia disorder on daytime functioning, and encourage patients to take insomnia seriously and seek timely medical support to improve overall health outcomes.

Feeling alone with insomnia disorder?

We all know how terrible we feel when we get a bad night’s sleep, but what’s it like when you have insomnia disorder? When you haven’t slept well for months, or even years? That terrible feeling is pretty much a daily reality. You just cannot catch up on sleep. You’re not alone in feeling like this though. About 1 in 10 people are going through exactly the same thing. It’s hard to live this way.4

Why me? Why do some people get insomnia disorder?

Some people are more at risk of insomnia disorder than others.

Sometimes insomnia begins after a stressful or upsetting experience, such as a difficult period at work, a major life change, or the loss of someone important.26,27 These events can leave the mind feeling alert and tense, making it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. For many people, sleep improves once the stressful situation passes.26,27 But for others, the sleep problems continue. The stress may have set off a period of disrupted sleep, and the emotional impact – worry, tension, or an overactive mind – can keep the sleep difficulties going even after life has settled down; this is why a temporary reaction to stress can, over time, develop into insomnia disorder.26,27

Did you know that your risk for insomnia and sleep problems increases as you get older?4,28

Researchers estimate that between

40% to 70%

of older adults have chronic sleep issues and up to half of cases may be undiagnosed29

Why does this happen? As we age, the parts of the brain that help regulate sleep may not work as well, which can make it harder to get the rest we need.14

Another group disproportionately affected is women undergoing the menopausal transition. In fact, 40–90% of women experience insomnia symptoms during the menopausal transition, and 26–57% meet criteria for insomnia disorder, possibly due to declining estrogen levels.4,24-36

When sleep becomes difficult, it’s common – sometimes without even realizing it – to change your routines in an effort to cope.13You might try to catch up by napping, rely on more caffeine to get through the day, or find yourself worrying about not sleeping.13

Although these reactions are understandable, they can sometimes work against you and make it harder for your sleep to return to normal; over time, these patterns may play a role in keeping insomnia disorder going.13

Why are short-term fixes not suitable?

What are sleep aids for insomnia?

Sleep aids include a range of approaches – from over‑the‑counter products and prescription medications to behavioral therapies – that can help improve sleep in different ways.3,14,34 However, many common sleep aid products, particularly over‑the‑counter supplements and short‑acting medications, are intended only for temporary symptom relief.2,3,34 They may help with falling asleep, but do not resolve the persistent factors that contribute to insomnia disorder, and their benefits may diminish over time.2,3,34

Benefits and limitations of sleep aids

Benefits
  • Can help you feel drowsy and relaxed so you can fall asleep faster.20
  • The over-the-counter supplements are widely available, often without a prescription (availability may vary from country to country).21
Limitations
  • May cause next-day drowsiness.20,22
  • Not recommended for long-term use in insomnia disorder.23
  • Some can become less effective over time as your body builds tolerance.24

Long-term management of insomnia disorder

As a chronic condition, insomnia disorder may require prescription treatment.24
Ideally, this treatment should improve sleep quality and quantity, remain effective for as long as the treatment is needed, without causing next-day impairment or physical dependency.10,24-26 Without effective treatment, insomnia disorder can continue for years, increasing the risk of serious long-term consequences such as Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, anxiety and depression.11,15,27,28

Don’t let insomnia disorder persist

Insomnia disorder often requires the right kind of treatment to help you improve both the quality and amount of your sleep – without waking up tired in the morning and without making your body rely on it. When insomnia isn’t managed well, it can continue for a long time and may increase the risk of other health concerns, including heart problems, memory issues like Alzheimer’s, and mood conditions such as anxiety or depression.9,21-23

If you’re struggling with your sleep, it’s important to talk to your doctor about what you’re experiencing – it can be helpful for you to understand what might be going on and work with you to find the best way to manage your symptoms so you can enjoy better nights and better days30-33.

Get ready to talk with a healthcare professional

Download a short questionnaire designed to help capture the experience of insomnia disorder and support discussions with a healthcare professional.

It helps you:

  • describe your sleep difficulties and how long they’ve been going on
  • connect what happens at night with how you function during the day
  • bring together what matters most to you before starting the conversation.
Download the conversation starter
Download the conversation starter

New insights into insomnia disorder in women in midlife*

Idorsia partnered with Ipsos to conduct a 2025 online survey of 1,413 women aged 40–60 across Europe and Canada, exploring the real-life impact of insomnia disorder on women in midlife, with a specific focus on daytime functioning and work.4

Sleepless, Silent, Still Showing Up

For many women in midlife, the impact of persistent sleep
loss is carried into the workplace – often in silence.

When insomnia disorder is dismissed as just “poor sleep” or “part of menopause,” women can feel left without support, being forced to cope and adapt at work while running on chronic sleep deprivation.

The hidden toll of insomnia disorder at work

Among those surveyed:4
0%
say insomnia disorder has an impact on their performance and/or concentration at work4
0%
worry about the potential consequences of their sleeping problems on their job or career4
0%

have quit and/or lost
their job because of the
impact of insomnia on their
ability to function at work4

Why women are suffering in silence at work

Among those surveyed:4

56%

feel embarrassed to talk
to their employer about
their sleeping difficulties4

26%

believe their employer is understanding of their insomnia disorder4

22%

believe their employer knows that their insomnia disorder affects how they function during the day4

Better sleep can mean better days for women in midlife.

Persistent sleep problems shouldn’t be dismissed – insomnia disorder is a real, treatable condition that affects daily functioning and work.

Women experiencing symptoms should talk to a healthcare
professional who can screen for insomnia disorder and help
manage the condition.

Explore more survey insights in the infographic “Sleepless, Silent, Still Showing up”

Download the infographic
Download the infographic

References

  1. Riemann D, et al. J Sleep Res. 2017; 26(6): 675–700.
  2. Chattu V. et al. Healthcare. 2019;7(1):1.
  3. Morin C.M. et al. Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2015;1:15026.
  4. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). 2022.
  5. DiBonaventura M. et al. PLoS ONE. 2015;10(10):e0137117.
  6. Nofzinger E. et al. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2004;161:2126–2129.
  7. Buysse D.J. et al. Drug Discovery Today: Disease Models. 2011;8(4):129–137.
  8. Muehlan C. et al. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology. 2020;16(11):1063–1078.
  9. Morin C.M. et al. JAMA Network Open. 2020;3(11):e2018782.
  10. Roth T. J Clin Sleep Med. 2007; 3(5 suppl): S7–S10.
  11. Mallampalli MP and Carter CL. J Womens Health. 2014; 23(7): 553–562.
  12. Pengo MF, et al. Chest. 2018; 154(1): 196–206.
  13. Winegar, Rhonda PhD, DNP. Maladaptive coping mechanisms of sleep. The Nurse Practitioner 47(3):p 30-38, March 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/01.NPR.0000819624.10897.33
  14. Grigg-Damberger M. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017; 13(2): 163–165.
  15. Bateson AN. Sleep Med. 2004; Suppl 1:S9–15.
  16. Lam TH, et al. Complement Ther Med. 2018; 41:231–239.
  17. Winrow CJ. Br J Pharmacol. 2014; 171(2):283–93.
  18. Wilson S et al. J Psychopharmacol. 2019;33(8):923-47.
  19. Soyka M., et al. Front Psychiatry. 2023;14:1212028.
  20. Janhsen K., et al. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2015;112(1-2):1-7.
  21. Hertenstein, E., et al. Sleep Med Rev. 2019;43:96-105.
  22. Shamim, S., et al. Cureus. 2019;11(10):e6004.
  23. Javaheri S., et al. Chest. 2017;152(2):435–444.
  24. Baker FC, et al. Sleep Med Clin. 2018; 13(3):443-456.
  25. Flückiger O, et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025; 22:1502.
  26. Ohayon MM. Arch Intern Med. 2006; 166(12):1262-8.
  27. Spielman AJ, et al. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 1987; 10:541–53.
  28. Drake CL, Roth T. Sleep Med Clin. 2006; 1:333–49.
  29. Bjorøy I, Jørgensen VA, Pallesen S, and Bjorvatn B(2020) Front. Psychol. 11:527. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00527
  30. Miner, B., & Kryger, M. H. (2017). Sleep in the Aging Population. Sleep medicine clinics, 12(1), 31–38. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28159095/
  31. Sleep Foundation. (2025, July 25). How to talk to your doctor about your sleep. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-studies/how-to-talk-to-your-doctor-about-sleep [cdc.gov]
  32. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024, December 6). How to sleep better: Start with your doctor. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/how-to-sleep-better-start-with-your-doctor
  33. WebMD. (2025, April 23). When to see your doctor about a sleep problem. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/when-to-call-doctor
  34. Sleepiverse. (2025, December 13). How to talk to your doctor about your sleep. Sleepiverse. https://sleepiverse.com/articles/how-to-talk-to-your-doctor-about-your-sleep/
  35. Riemann et al., J Sleep Res, 32(6):e14035
  36. Sleep Foundation, Over-the-Counter Sleep Aids. Sleep Foundation, (2025, July 15) https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-aids/over-the-counter-sleep-aids

EUC-IDO-00074 l March 2026

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On the occasion of World Sleep Day 2026, Idorsia partnered with Ipsos to conduct an international survey across Europe and Canada, exploring the real-life impact of insomnia disorder among women in midlife.

Understanding the real-life impact of insomnia disorder in women in midlife

Learn more
Learn more