insomnia

USAGE SUMMARY

"insomnia" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to a medical condition characterized by difficulty sleeping or lack of sleep. Example sentence: "I've been suffering from insomnia for months, so getting a good night's sleep has been a struggle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Courtney Barnett: Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit Barnett can turn the most seemingly mundane topics – house-hunting, insomnia or swimming in a public pool – into scuzzy, indie-pop demonstrations of lyrical prowess.

The Guardian - Music

Owen was surprisingly generous to Gordon Brown, while noting that his insomnia and acute anxiety would be, unless dealt with medically, his undoing.

The Guardian - Opinion

When I have to get up at a certain time I can easily slip into insomnia.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But at least Freddy Krueger can scrap plans for that insomnia app.

The Guardian - Film

In August 1985, it turns out, she received therapy for insomnia and nightmares related to "family abuse".

The Guardian

These drinks have sufficient amounts of caffeine to cause insomnia, jitteriness and palpitations.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It can include flashbacks and nightmares, increased arousal in the form of insomnia, anger and an inability to concentrate, and impaired personal relationships.

The Economist

But its treatments, of which the best known are Plavix (for thrombosis) and Ambien/Myslee (for insomnia), are more profitable than its rival's (Lantus for diabetes, and Lovenox and Clexane, also for thrombosis).

The Economist

In which the Simpsons describe the difference between a Becquerel, a Sievert and a Gray.The quest for a better insomnia drug (New Yorker)The philosophical implications of the Standard Model (Frank Wilczek; PDF).

The Economist

Californians will vote in November on whether to legalise and tax the sale of marijuana to adults (it is already legal to buy and sell pot for medical complaints, which some liberal doctors consider to include insomnia, migraines and the like).

The Economist

SUFFERING from jet lag and insomnia while staying at a friend's house in Washington, DC, in 1972, Bob Metcalfe came across the proceedings of a conference held by the American Federation of Information Processing Societies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use precise language when describing "insomnia". Instead of saying someone 'has insomnia', consider 'suffers from insomnia' or 'experiences insomnia' to convey the impact of the condition.

Common error

Avoid using "insomnia" interchangeably with occasional sleeplessness. "Insomnia" is a persistent condition, while everyone experiences a night or two of poor sleep occasionally.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "insomnia" is as a noun. It typically acts as a subject or object, representing a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "insomnia" is a well-established noun referring to a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. With a 'Very common' frequency, it appears most often in "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias", signifying its relevance in both general awareness and formal definitions. While often used interchangeably with sleeplessness, it's important to remember that "insomnia" implies a persistent condition, not just occasional restless nights. When writing about "insomnia", precision is key, specifying the type and potential causes to enhance clarity. You can find related terms to "insomnia" here such as "sleeplessness" and "sleep disorder".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sleeplessness

A direct synonym referring to the inability to sleep.

inability to sleep

Emphasizes the lack of sleep.

difficulty sleeping

Describes the challenge one faces when trying to fall or stay asleep.

lack of sleep

Highlights the deficiency in the amount of sleep obtained.

sleep disorder

A broader term that encompasses various conditions affecting sleep, including insomnia.

poor sleep quality

Indicates that sleep is not restorative or sufficient.

restless nights

Focuses on the disturbed and uneasy nature of sleep.

disturbed sleep

General term for sleep that is interrupted or not continuous.

trouble falling asleep

Specifically addresses the initial phase of sleep.

wakefulness

Emphasizes the state of being awake when one should be sleeping.

FAQs

What are common causes of "insomnia"?

Common causes include stress, poor sleep habits, mental health disorders, physical conditions, and certain medications. Identifying the cause can help in finding appropriate treatment.

How is "insomnia" typically treated?

Treatment options range from lifestyle changes like improving sleep hygiene to medical interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy for "insomnia" (CBT-I) or prescription sleep aids.

What's the difference between acute and chronic "insomnia"?

Acute "insomnia" is short-term and often related to stress or a change in schedule, while chronic "insomnia" persists for at least three months and may have underlying causes.

What can I say instead of "insomnia"?

You can use alternatives like "sleeplessness", "difficulty sleeping", or "sleep disorder depending on the context.