Insomnia Awareness Night Scheduled for June 22, 2026

Insomnia is characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early despite having enough time to sleep. Chronic insomnia occurs when these sleep disruptions happen at least three times a week for a minimum of three months. This condition can adversely affect physical, mental, and emotional health, consequently impacting daily life and relationships.

Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, president of the AASM, emphasized that chronic insomnia is a serious health issue that can influence mood, memory, and overall well-being if left untreated. She noted that effective treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), can help improve sleep quality and enhance overall life satisfaction.

CBT-I is considered the primary treatment for chronic insomnia due to its comprehensive approach that combines cognitive therapy and education about sleep regulation with behavior-based strategies. Sarah Honaker, president of SBSM and a pediatric sleep researcher at Indiana University School of Medicine, highlighted that CBT-I addresses the underlying issues related to sleep difficulties, offering personalized recommendations to improve sleep over the long term.

Both children and adults can experience chronic insomnia. For healthy children, behavioral interventions are typically the first treatment option. If these interventions are ineffective or if the child has more complex medical issues, pharmacological treatments may be considered alongside behavioral strategies.

A recent AASM survey indicated that over 75% of adults report having difficulty falling or staying asleep at least sometimes. It is crucial for individuals experiencing ongoing sleep issues to consult a medical professional who may refer them to a behavioral sleep medicine specialist or an AASM-accredited sleep center.

On Insomnia Awareness Night, a panel of experts from AASM and SBSM will host a Reddit Ask Me Anything session from 8-10 p.m. EDT to field questions regarding sleep and insomnia. For more information about this event or general sleep health, visit SleepEducation.org.

The survey that informed this report involved 2,007 adults across the U.S. and was conducted by Atomik Research, with a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points and a 95% confidence interval.

The AASM, established in 1975, includes over 9,500 professionals dedicated to sleep health and accredits approximately 2,300 sleep centers nationwide. The SBSM focuses on advancing the understanding of behavioral, psychological, and physiological factors of sleep and sleep disorders.