Insomnia vs. other sleep disorders: solutions
Written on December 3, 2025, by Pauline de Santarome
Insomnia vs. other sleep disorders
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders and can turn your nights into a real struggle. One in three French people suffer from it.Difficulty falling asleep, waking up during the night, or non-restorative sleep can quickly affect your daily life, causing fatigue and lack of concentration. Chronic stress, screens, shift work, and poor diet can disrupt the sleep cycle.
But insomnia is not the only sleep disorder: sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, circadian rhythm disorders, and parasomnias can also disrupt sleep and impact quality of life.
Medicinal plants, essential oils, and better sleep hygiene can really make a difference to your nights. To complement these approaches, you can also take action from within with dietary supplements for a good night's sleep.
What is insomnia?
Insomnia is defined asdifficulty sleeping sufficiently or properly despite favorable conditions. It can be temporary, lasting a few days, or chronic, occurring three or more nights a week for several weeks.
Sleep can be disrupted by other disorders, among the most common of which are:
Sleep apnea: frequent breathing pauses during the night, leading to poor oxygenation and fragmented sleep.
Snoring: often associated with partial obstruction of the airways and repeated nighttime awakenings.
Parasomnias: sleepwalking, nightmares, or involuntary movements occurring mainly during REM sleep.
Restless legs syndrome: an irresistible urge to move the legs, which disrupts falling asleep and sleep quality.
If you regularly suffer from insomnia or any other sleep disorder, consulting a doctor or sleep medicine specialist is essential to identify the cause and consider appropriate treatment.
Symptoms and causes of insomnia
The main symptoms of insomnia include:
Difficulty falling asleep and waking up early or during the night.
Light or non-restorative sleep, with sleep fragmentation.
Persistent fatigue during the day, daytime sleepiness, and lack of alertness.
Irritability, anxiety, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems.
There are many causes of insomnia, and they often occur in combination:
Psychological factors: stress, anxiety, depression, or related mental health disorders.
Healthy lifestyle: irregular bedtime, exposure to blue light, screen time in the evening, lack of physical activity.
Medications and substances: stimulants, antidepressants, alcohol, or caffeine late in the day.
Medical conditions: chronic pain, respiratory disorders such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome.
Insomnia is therefore a complex condition that affects mental health, circadian rhythm, and sleep quality, with consequences for alertness, memory, and behavior during the day.
Symptoms and causes of other sleep disorders
Sleep disorders go far beyond insomnia and can be classified according to their type:
Respiratory disorders: Sleep apnea causes breathing interruptions and poor oxygenation at night, leading to fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, and cardiovascular risk. Snoring is often associated with sleep apnea and disrupts sleep.
Circadian rhythm disorders: sleep comes too early or too late (delayed sleep phase or jet lag), disrupting the biological clock. This leads to difficulty falling asleep, daytime sleepiness, and poor sleep quality.
Hypersomnia and narcolepsy: Some people suffer from excessive sleepiness, with episodes of uncontrollable sleep and sometimes sleep paralysis.
Motor and behavioral disorders: restless legs syndrome, sleepwalking, and certain parasomnias cause involuntary movements, irresistible sensations in the legs, or strange behaviors during REM sleep.
The causes can be biological (hormones, genetics, brain activity), physical (respiratory obstruction, chronic pain, cardiovascular disorders), or psychological (stress, anxiety, depression). The duration, frequency, and intensity of symptoms vary depending on the condition, making a medical examination and accurate diagnosis essential.
Approaches and treatments: what sets insomnia apart from other disorders
The treatment of insomnia and other sleep disorders varies depending on their cause.
Disorders |
Approaches and treatments |
Insomnia |
- Maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule - Limit exposure to artificial light and screens in the evening - Create a calm, dark, and cool environment - Avoid alcohol and caffeine at the end of the day - Maintain regular and appropriate physical activity - Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic insomnia |
Respiratory disorders (e.g., sleep apnea) |
Use of medical devices such as CPAP machines to keep the airways open during the night |
Restless legs syndrome |
- Specific medications to decrease muscle tone and reduce nighttime movements |
Circadian rhythm disorders |
- Exposure to light to regulate the biological clock and restore a normal sleep pattern |
Consulting a healthcare professional is always recommended for targeted treatment, especially if the symptoms are chronic.
Dietary supplements to support sleep
To make it easier to fall asleep and improve sleep quality, dietary supplements can be used alongside good sleep hygiene practices.
OurSOMNIFORrange supports you every day, helping you enjoy deep, restorative sleep. Available in tablets, gummies, or ampoules, it combines melatonin, plants (California poppy), and buds (hawthorn, linden, fig tree) to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
For more severe sleep disorders, our latest SOMNIFOR MAX LP supplement offers a comprehensive and natural approach. Its formula is based on three exclusive complexes that act on several levels: muscle relaxation, nervous system balance, hormonal regulation, and overall improvement in nighttime sleep. SOMNIFOR MAX LP is intended for people who have difficulty falling asleep or wake up frequently and are looking for a natural, non-addictive alternative.
Restorative sleep can often be achieved through simple actions and natural solutions. Medicinal plants, dietary supplements, relaxation techniques—all these natural solutions are invaluable aids in calming the mind and relaxing the body. Trust Santarome to help you restore balance to your body and mind through rest.
★★★★★ - Chloe
SOMNIFOR MAX LP 8H
"Since I started taking this supplement, my sleep has been much more regular.I fall asleep more easily and stay asleep without waking up in the middle of the night."
