Insomnia

Everyone experiences insomnia occasionally, but if your lack of sleep affects your ability to work, spend time with loved ones, or do other normal activities, don’t wait to seek treatment. At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy in Aurora and Chicago, Illinois, board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Lawrence Abah, MS, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, FPA, Pauline Bao Ling Soh, PA, and the team specialize in diagnosing and treating insomnia with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Call Holistic Behavioral and TMS Therapy to schedule an insomnia consultation, or book your appointment online today.

I regularly have trouble sleeping. Is it insomnia?

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep problems, affecting up to one-third of adults. Everyone has trouble falling asleep from time to time, but if it becomes a nightly occurrence, it may point to a more serious underlying health problem. 

What are the symptoms of insomnia?

Insomnia symptoms include the following:

• Feeling tired or unwell
• Delayed responses
• Confusion and difficulty concentrating
• Anxiety, depression, or irritability
• Trouble remembering things

As the condition worsens, you might have trouble performing at work, exercising, or doing other things you enjoy. 

When should I seek treatment for insomnia?

Make an appointment with the Holistic Behavioral and TMS Therapy team if you have sleep problems more than once a week for a month or longer. That’s particularly true if you regularly feel tired and cannot manage personal or professional responsibilities. 

How is insomnia diagnosed?

The Holistic Behavioral and TMS Therapy team reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a physical exam. They also ask about your sleep habits and have you fill out a questionnaire regarding sleep hygiene.

Then, the team orders blood work and urinalysis to rule out underlying health problems that might keep you up at night. If these tests don’t provide enough information, they refer you to a sleep lab for an overnight sleep study.

A sleep study monitors your heart rate, respiratory rate, brain waves, and muscle movements during sleep. It provides key insights into your health and helps guide treatment. 

How is insomnia treated?

The Holistic Behavioral and TMS Therapy team uses cutting-edge transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy to treat insomnia safely and effectively. TMS therapy uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate activity in specific areas of your brain.

During treatment, you sit beneath the TMS device. The device emits magnetic pulses at regular intervals, stimulating nerve cells in areas of your brain responsible for sleep and circadian rhythm. 

A series of TMS treatments help stimulate these areas at the cellular level, restoring chemical balance and helping you sleep more soundly. 

Is TMS therapy painful?

TMS Therapy is safe and presents few risks. Some people experience mild facial pain and headaches after treatment, but any discomfort should subside quickly. 

Let your provider know if you have any discomfort during treatment. The Holistic Behavioral and TMS Therapy team can adjust the settings as necessary, ensuring a pleasant experience.  

Call Holistic Behavioral and TMS Therapy to schedule insomnia treatment, or book your visit online today.