Insomnia: Myths and Mistakes That Keep You from Real Sleep

Insomnia rarely exists in isolation — it is always a signal of something deeper. That is why simply "treating sleep" without understanding the underlying cause is a trap. Below are the key myths and mistakes Dr. Saulitis encounters in clinical practice.

Myth 1: "Poor sleep is just an inconvenience"

A sleep disturbance is a serious warning signal. When sleep is intact, the vast majority of mental health problems either don't develop or are far more manageable. Once sleep breaks down, consequences follow — and they come quickly. Treating insomnia as a standalone complaint without investigating its cause is one of the most common and costly mistakes patients make.

Myth 2: "Sleeping pills will restore your sleep"

This is one of the most dangerous myths. Benzodiazepines and similar substances disrupt the architecture of sleep: a person lies with eyes closed, but the deep, restorative phase of sleep never arrives. The body does not recover — just as with regular alcohol use. Prolonged use of such substances can cause serious harm to both mental and physical health.

Myth 3: "Insomnia is caused by stress and nerves"

Stress and nervous exhaustion do disrupt sleep — but they are far from the only causes, and often not the real one. People forget about consequences of head injuries and concussions, thyroid dysfunction (both overactive and underactive), inflammatory and atherosclerotic conditions, and acute pancreatic problems. A person keeps treating "nerves" while the actual cause goes unaddressed.

Myth 4: "Alcohol and other substances help you relax and fall asleep"

Both external alcohol and "internal alcohol" — fast sugars, sweets, junk food — begin to disrupt sleep within just a few days of regular use, and sleep disturbance is among the first symptoms. Stimulants, cannabis, and psychoactive substances systematically destroy sleep structure. Cannabis is a particular trap: what starts as occasional use ends with a person being unable to fall asleep without it at all.

What to do

If your sleep is disrupted, that is a reason to see a specialist — your family doctor or a psychiatrist. Only a specialist can identify the true cause and guide treatment appropriately. When the underlying cause is addressed, sleep typically normalises on its own.