Difficulty falling asleep
Sleep latency over 20 minutes most nights is the classic marker of sleep-onset insomnia.
Frequent night-time awakenings
Sleep-maintenance insomnia is defined by waking 2+ times per night and struggling to return to sleep.
Waking too early
If you wake before 5 a.m. and cannot fall back asleep, this is early-morning insomnia — often linked to depression or aging.
Daytime consequences
Insomnia is diagnosed only when nighttime symptoms produce daytime fatigue, mood changes, or impaired performance.
What to do next
Track your sleep for two weeks, then bring the log to your physician or a sleep specialist.