Nothing beats a good night's sleep; unfortunately, many of us don't ever get that satisfying rest we all deserve at the end of the day.

Each year, about 40 million Americans suffer from some sort of sleep disorder. If you're one of those individuals, then you know just how exhausting this can be.

Most adults should strive to get at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night. When you find it impossible to fall asleep or stay asleep during the night, you may be suffering from any number of sleep disorders.

Some of these include:

• Insomnia
• Sleep apnea
• Narcolepsy

Sleep disorders can be frustrating, but there is always the possibility to improve or recover entirely through the help of medication and therapy. For many, though, face-to-face counseling just isn't readily available. Online therapy covers all the bases of face-to-face therapy from the convenience of your own home.

Insomnia

If you experience any difficulty falling asleep at night, or find it almost impossible to stay asleep throughout the night, you may be an insomniac. Throughout your life, it's completely normal to experience short periods of insomnia. Stress, dietary changes, pregnancy, and several other factors can trigger these episodes.

About 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia regularly, though, experiencing symptoms like:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up very early in the morning
• Waking up throughout the night and then having trouble falling back asleep
• Feeling tired throughout the day
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating

When insomnia occurs and is not directly correlated to another health condition, it's usually considered primary insomnia; secondary insomnia usually accompanies another health condition like asthma or cancer.

No matter the cause of your insomnia, an online therapist can easily help manage your disorder and help you identify the root of it.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be scary. It's characterized by an interruption of breathing while sleeping. This can be abrupt and often, dangerous.

People who have fat buildup or depletion of muscle tone are more likely to suffer from either obstructive or centralized sleep apnea. Over 12 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and about 50% of them are overweight.

Certain factors can trigger an episode of sleep apnea. These factors include:

• Smoking
• Having high blood pressure
• Being at risk for heart failure or stroke

Narcolepsy

When you suffer from narcolepsy, you might fall asleep at any minute. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep and wakefulness.

During the day, you'll feel uncontrollably sleepy and can even fall asleep at random points. Narcolepsy can be very dangerous as these episodes can happen at any time, during any activity.

No one is sure what exactly causes narcolepsy, but symptoms of it include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Hallucinations
• Sleep paralysis
• Cataplexy or muscle weakness

If you suffer from narcolepsy, it's important you get in touch with a neurologist immediately. An online therapist can help you cope with your disorder and learn how to accept the challenges you face.

Treatment for Sleep Disorder

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective ways to improve your sleep disorder. Unfortunately, therapy is expensive and can interfere with your busy schedule, plus, finding a therapist who you feel comfortable with can be hit-or-miss.

Many online therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy when handling sleep disorders. And, because disorders, of any kind, can be a difficult subject to talk about, you might feel more comfortable talking to an online therapist.

The benefits of using an online therapist are:

• Often Less Expensive Due to No Overhead Costs for the Online Therapist
• Much More Convenient (Days, Nights, at Home, Work, Traveling, or on Vacation)
• Highly Accessible (Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone)
• More Comfortable (Individuals, Couples, & Children)
• More Private

The Virtual Therapist Network has a wide range of professional online therapists who are trained and experienced in sleep disorders and can provide you the online therapy you need in the comfort and privacy of your own home.

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