When it comes to insomnia, there are different causes and variations. There are three types of insomnia that are the most common: transient, acute, and chronic.

Transient insomnia is the type to last from days to a couple of weeks. It is also the type of insomnia that lasts the least. It may be caused by a variety of temporary factors ranging from stress, depression, irregular sleep patterns, and a change in the sleep environment. Its effects are like those of sleep deprivation which causes impaired mental performance and sleepiness.

Examples of what may cause transient insomnia are injury or surgery, the loss of a loved one, traumatic events, or it could be a minor event, like stress before an exam. Regular sleep usually returns after these events have subsided.

Acute insomnia usually lasts anywhere from a month to six months. This type of insomnia usually is caused by stress, anxiety, the consumption of certain medications, herbs, caffeine, or a mixture of these. It’s important to address this type of insomnia immediately as it may cause a more serious form of insomnia or chronic insomnia.

Chronic insomnia is the more serious form of insomnia and may last years. It may be caused by other underlying conditions or it may be a primary disorder. Its effects are usually muscular fatigue, decreased mental performance, sleepiness, and/or hallucinations. Many sufferers of chronic insomnia claim to see things as they were happening in a slow motion.

Causes of chronic insomnia can range anywhere from depression to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Low levels of melatonin have been observed in people with chronic insomnia. That is why melatonin is usually the main ingredient in the best sleep aid products on the market. Other causes may be high levels of cortisol levels and low levels of growth hormone.