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Can’t Sleep? These 5 Insomnia Facts Might Surprise You

05/05/2025
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Insomnia can leave you feeling exhausted, frustrated, and desperate for rest. Discover five essential facts about insomnia as well as practical tips to help you take back control of your sleep.

WORDS DR SERENA IN

FEATURED EXPERT
DR SERENA IN
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer
Department of Psychology and Counselling
School of Psychology and Social Sciences
IMU University

Most people have an idea of what insomnia is—it’s the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or a combination of both—but most of their knowledge is shaped by what they see in popular media such as novels, movies, and such.

Let’s take a closer look to separate the truth from creative liberties taken in popular media.

#1 IT’S LIKELY COMMON AMONG MALAYSIANS

According to a 2008 study conducted in 4 urban areas in Malaysia with 1,611 participants:

  • About 34% have symptoms of insomnia.
  • 12% have long-term or chronic insomnia (having symptoms for 3 months or longer).

Another study involving 11,356 working adults aged 18 and above, published in 2021, showed that:

  • More than half reported sleep insufficiency.
  • Insufficient sleep was also linked to:
    • Older age
    • People that smoke or have had smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime (“ever smokers”)
    • Higher levels of psychological distress

#2 INSOMNIA IS NOT A NORMAL PART OF AGEING

No. There’s nothing normal about insomnia, no matter how old you are!

Possible Causes of Insomnia

Factors that affect one’s sleep habits such as:

  • Noise
  • Jet lag
  • Changes in work shift
  • Poor sleep hygiene
  • Irregular sleep pattern

Mental and cognitive issues such as:

  • Stress
  • Depression
  • Trauma
  • Neurological disorders (ADHD, bipolar, etc)

Health issues such as:

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Restless leg syndrome or Willis–Ekbom disease, a poorly understood compelling urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations, usually in the evening or at night

Other causes

  • A side effect of certain medications
  • Chronic pain
  • Menopause
  • Pregnancy

#3 INSOMNIA IS CLASSIFIED AS A SLEEP DISORDER

You should see a doctor when your symptoms (see below) begin to affect your ability to carry out your daily routines as well as your relationships with other people.

You May Have Insomnia if You:

  • Have a hard time falling asleep at night.
  • Frequently wake up during the night.
  • Often wake up earlier than anticipated.

Seeing a doctor can be useful in identifying the cause(s) of your insomnia as well as to explore the most appropriate options to improve your ability to sleep better.

Potential Consequences of Long-term Insomnia

  • Daytime sleepiness.
  • Problems concentrating and remembering details.
  • Risk of accidents, especially if you drive or operate machinery.
  • Irritability and grumpiness.
  • Health issues related to prolonged lack of proper sleep.

Note: If you can’t sleep, chances are your partner that is sharing your bed can’t sleep too—that’s double the problem!

#4 THERE ARE EVIDENCE-BASED WAYS TO MANAGE INSOMNIA

  • Treatment options depend on the underlying cause(s) of your insomnia, so there is no one-size-fits-all treatment.
  • For example:
    • Causes that are related to stress and anxiety can be improved through getting individual psychological therapy sessions with a mental health professional such as counsellors and clinical psychologists.
    • If one’s insomnia is caused by certain medical issues, these issues can be addressed by relevant medical specialists.
  • Often, you will also receive guidance and help on how to improve your sleep habits through techniques learnt through treatment approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy and other evidence-based psychological techniques.

#5 SLEEPING PILLS CAN BE HELPFUL IN CERTAIN CASES, BUT USAGE OF THESE MEDICATIONS NEEDS TO BE DONE CAREFULLY & PROPERLY

  • Yes, there are medications available to help you sleep better.
  • Some help you fall asleep, while others help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
  • However, these medications are prescribed by medical professionals only when absolutely necessary. This is because they have potential side effects such as creating a “sedated” effect that can carry on to your daytime activities.
  • There is also a possibility that your body will develop tolerance to the medication, and you will need increasingly higher dosage to achieve the same effect.
  • Furthermore, these medications may not be suitable for people with certain existing health conditions such as kidney and heart problems. They should also not be taken by breastfeeding mothers.
  • Hence, while these sleep medications can be beneficial, they are not ‘quick cures’ for insomnia—you should only take them under a doctor’s supervision.
  • Your doctor will monitor your usage and the dosage of your medications, address any side effects, and advise you on how to gradually stop taking them once you no longer need the sleep medications.
This article is part of our series on how to improve your sleep mental wellness.

References:

  1. Chan, C. M. H., Siau, C. S., Wong, J. E., Wee, L. H., Jamil, N. A., & Hoe, V. C. W. (2021). Prevalence of insufficient sleep and its associated factors among working adults in Malaysia. Nature and science of sleep, 13, 1109–1116. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S295537
  2. Zailinawati, A., Ariff, K., Nurjahan, M., & Teng, C. (2008). Epidemiology of insomnia in Malaysian adults: a community-based survey in 4 urban areas. Asia-Pacific journal of public health, 20(3), 224–233. https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539508316975
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byHealthToday Malaysia
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