Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders in modern society. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly one-third of adults worldwide experience some form of insomnia, and 10%–15% suffer from chronic insomnia. Insomnia is more than a “sleep problem”—it includes difficulty falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, early morning awakenings, or poor sleep quality. Chronic insomnia can significantly reduce daytime energy and concentration and is closely linked to depression, anxiety, cardiovascular diseases, and even cognitive decline (Riemann et al., The Lancet Psychiatry, 2015).

Major Types of Insomnia

1. Difficulty Falling Asleep (Sleep-Onset Insomnia)

People with this type of insomnia typically need 30 minutes or longer to fall asleep. Common triggers include stress, anxiety, mental overactivation, or poor bedtime habits (e.g., excessive phone use).
Evidence: Research shows that heightened sympathetic nervous system activity at night increases heart rate and cortical arousal, significantly delaying sleep onset (Bonnet & Arand, Sleep, 2010).

2. Difficulty Staying Asleep (Sleep-Maintenance Insomnia)

These individuals can fall asleep but wake up frequently throughout the night and struggle to fall back asleep. This condition is especially common among older adults and is often associated with chronic pain, sleep apnea, or mental health conditions.
Evidence: A large-scale study by Foley et al. found that over half of older participants reported difficulty staying asleep, often associated with illness and medication use (Foley et al., Sleep, 1995).

3. Early Morning Awakening Insomnia

This type involves waking much earlier than desired—typically around 3–5 a.m.—and being unable to fall back asleep. It is commonly linked to depression or circadian rhythm disruptions.
Evidence: Research by Tsuno et al. found that early morning awakening is one of the hallmark sleep disturbances in depression (Tsuno et al., The Lancet, 2005).

4. Acute or Short-Term Insomnia

This type usually lasts from several days to a few weeks and is often triggered by stressors such as exams, travel, or work deadlines. Once the stressor is removed, sleep typically returns to normal.
Evidence: Levenson et al. reported that acute insomnia is often a transient stress response and usually resolves without medication (Levenson et al., Sleep Medicine Clinics, 2015).

5. Chronic Insomnia

Chronic insomnia is defined as sleep difficulties occurring at least three nights per week for three months or longer. It is commonly associated with psychiatric disorders, chronic medical conditions, or neurological dysregulation.
Evidence: Edinger & Means emphasized that chronic insomnia requires long-term treatment, with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) recognized as the gold standard (Edinger & Means, Sleep, 2005).

Common Solutions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

Adjusts maladaptive sleep beliefs and behaviors, significantly improving chronic insomnia (Trauer et al., Annals of Internal Medicine, 2015).

Sleep Hygiene

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, reducing blue light exposure, and optimizing the sleep environment.

Medication

Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs can be effective short-term but carry risks of side effects and dependency (Holbrook et al., CMAJ, 2000).

Emerging Approach: taVNS Technology

Research by Tu et al. found that transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) enhances parasympathetic activity, reduces sympathetic arousal, and significantly improves insomnia symptoms (Tu et al., Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2018).

DreamPhone integrates taVNS with breathing training and natural soundscapes, helping users achieve deep pre-sleep relaxation and higher-quality rest—without the risks associated with medication.

Conclusion

Insomnia is not a single disorder but a spectrum of conditions requiring tailored interventions. CBT-I and sleep hygiene remain the cornerstones of treatment, medications can effectively relieve short-term insomnia, and neuroscience innovations such as taVNS offer safe, non-pharmacological, and sustainable alternatives. As research continues to advance, products like DreamPhone may soon become essential tools in improving global sleep health.

References

• Riemann, D., et al. (2015). Diagnosis, treatment, and management of insomnia. The Lancet Psychiatry.

• Bonnet, M. H., & Arand, D. L. (2010). Hyperarousal and insomnia. Sleep.

• Foley, D., et al. (1995). Sleep problems in older adults. Sleep.

• Levenson, J. C., et al. (2015). The pathophysiology of insomnia. Sleep Medicine Clinics.

• Edinger, J. D., & Means, M. K. (2005). Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Sleep.

• Trauer, J. M., et al. (2015). Cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine.

• Holbrook, A. M., et al. (2000). Meta-analysis of benzodiazepine treatment for insomnia. CMAJ.

• Tu, Y., et al. (2018). Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation as a new therapeutic approach for insomnia. Frontiers in Neuroscience.