Chronic Insomnia - Symptom or Primary Disorder?

Chronic insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. In most cases insomnia is comorbid with other conditions. Patients with insomnia have an increased risk for psychiatric disorders, especially depression. This article focusses on the question of whether chronic insomnia is just a symptom of these other disorders or whether it is a primary disorder that itself merits treatment. Recent research into the pathophysiology of insomnia, especially new insights in the concept of chronic hyperarousal, underlines the trend for considering insomnia as a disorder and not merely a symptom.