Hi,
Insomnia can have many causes, in which case treating the underlying cause can resolve the insomnia. Only rarely it is primary requiring sleeping pills.
There are a few non pharmacological ways to treat insomnia. You may try it first before resorting to sleeping tablets.
1. Maintain regular hours of sleep and wake cycle.
2. If you are hungry, have a light snack before bedtime. Do not have tea, coffee, in the evenings. Do not use alcohol or smoke if unable to sleep.
3. Manitain a regular exercise regimen.
4. Do not use the bed for anything other than sleeping. E.g. watching tv, reading a book, eating, exercising, talk on the phone etc.
5. Do not take naps during the day.
6. Do not eat heavy before bedtime to help you sleep.
If you strictly follow it, this will help you atleast to some extent. Get an evaluation by a
psychiatrist to find out the cause for your insomnia and get appropriate treatment.
Hope this helps,
Dr A Rao