What is insomnia?

What is insomnia? 

 

Often take more than 30 minutes to fall asleep for 3 or more nights a week?

 

Yes, individual who suffer for insomnia often have trouble staying asleep or falling asleep or both. Here’s what you might experience:

• Hard to fall asleep
• Wake up in the middle of the night
• Wake up in the early morning
• Feel drowsy and sleepy after a night's sleep
• Trouble staying awake during daytime
• Anger, depression or anxiety related issues
• Difficulty paying attention or focusing, such as when reading or listening to others
• Unable to think critically
• Trouble making decisions
• Migraine or headache
• Making careless mistakes
• Forgetful
• Indigestion related issues
• Worrying about sleep

 

What cause insomnia?

 

According to the research study done by Bonnet and Arand (2010), Individual suffer for insomnia related issues have increased high-frequency EEG brainwaves activation which known as hyper arousal. Hyper arousal is reflected in brainwaves and it can elevated sympathetic nervous system and heart rate during sleep time (Bonnet & Arand, 2010).  

 

In the field of EEG biofeedback (Brain Trainer), we can understand the hyper arousal state better by peek into the brainwave. "high beta" brainwave is associated with stress, tension, nervous or anxiety state. Work, school, health or family related stress can keep your brainwaves overactive at night and then lead to insomnia. Breathing difficulty, urination problem and chronic pain can cause insomnia as well.

Due to day time sleepiness, some people use stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol to stay awake. It is not a long term solution because stimulants cannot overcome the effects of severe sleep deprivation.For example, alcohol helps induce to light sleep stages but it prevents deeper stages of sleep which can adversely affect the brain and cognitive function. If you always stay in the light sleep stages, it is more likely you will wake up in the middle of the night and wake up feeling tired.

Drug-free Insomnia Solution

Neuroscientists have identified specific brainwave patterns that relate to specific disorders. Individual who suffer for insomnia is more likely to experience hyper arousal state in the brain. Brain trainer can help correct this problem. Brain trainer (EEG biofeedback) which is a safe, non-invasive, drug free and no side effect technology has been shown to effectively address anxiety symptoms. Brain trainer training teaches you to balance your brain's arousal state. It helps teach you how to calm down your brain during stressful event and night.

Neuro-Hypnotherapy is based on EEG brainwave frequency monitoring. It is non-invasive, painless, and safe with no side effects. All of our mind activity can be measured scientifically by utilizing an EEG biofeedback tool. With the Neuro-Hypnotherapy technology, you can scientifically see yourself going into states of “Alpha", "Theta", and "Delta”, and these three levels can be considered states or depths of sleep. After your therapy session, you will learn how to self-regulate your own brainwave pattern and improving your sleep quality by practicing your personalized self-hypnosis technique.

Brain trainer and Neuro-hypnotherapy together help the individual who suffer for insomnia to calm hyper arousal brainwave activity, fine-tuning the central nervous system and reprogram your subconscious mind to achieve deep sleep and relaxation.

 

Contributor:

Hiro Koo

Licensed Clinical Hypnotherapist (AHPM & APA-Society of Psychological Hypnosis). BSocSc(Hons) in Psychology, Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis, Certified EEG biofeedback practitioner.

 

Reference:

Bonnet, M. H., & Arand, D. L. (2010). Hyperarousal and insomnia: State of the science. Sleep Medicine Reviews. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2009.05.002