Insomnia Disorder

Insomnia disorder is diagnosed when sleep difficulties occur at least 3 nights per week for at least 3 months, causing significant distress or daytime impairment. It affects 10-30% of the population, with higher rates in women, older adults, and those with medical or psychiatric comorbidities. First-line treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

Insomnia disorder is characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep despite adequate opportunity. Symptoms must occur at least 3 times per week for 3 months or longer and cause significant distress or impairment. Associated features may include daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood disturbance. This description is for educational purposes and does not replace medical diagnosis.

TCM views insomnia as a disturbance of the Shen (spirit), which resides in the Heart and requires adequate Blood and Yin to be properly anchored. The root can be in any organ system, but the manifestation is always in the Heart. Treatment aims to identify and correct the underlying pattern while calming the Shen.

Some research has evaluated TCM formulas and herbs for insomnia. Suan Zao Ren Tang and Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan have been studied in clinical trials of varying methodological quality. Systematic reviews note that evidence is limited by small sample sizes and methodological limitations. Research is limited in the current TCMIO reference set, and no definitive conclusions about efficacy can be drawn. TCM does not claim to treat, cure, or replace medical care for insomnia disorder.