Did you know that nearly one-third of adults experience insomnia symptoms at some point in their lives? Whether it’s trouble falling asleep, waking frequently during the night, or feeling unrefreshed in the morning, insomnia can dramatically affect your health, mood, and daily performance.
At Bogan Sleep Consultants, we specialize in helping patients overcome sleep challenges, including all types of insomnia. Located in Columbia, SC, our dedicated team, led byDr. Richard K. Bogan, provides personalized evaluations and treatments to get to the root of your sleep struggles. If you’re ready to improve your sleep and quality of life, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
In this guide, we’ll explore the core differences between primary and secondary insomnia, their causes, how insomnia is diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep. It may be acute (short-term) or chronic (lasting three months or more). People with insomnia often experience poor sleep quality, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood disturbances, and reduced daytime performance.
There are two main types of insomnia:
Primary Insomnia
Primary insomnia refers to sleep problems that are not directly caused by another health condition. It can result from stress, disrupted sleep habits, environmental factors, or learned behavior patterns that interfere with healthy sleep. Many people with primary insomnia develop sleep onset insomnia (trouble falling asleep) or sleep maintenance insomnia (difficulty staying asleep).
Common characteristics of primary insomnia:
- Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Occurs at least three times per week for a minimum of three months
- Not linked to medical, psychiatric, or substance-related causes
Primary insomnia is often diagnosed when other causes are ruled out and may involve behavioral or psychological patterns that perpetuate poor sleep over time.
Secondary Insomnia
Secondary insomnia is a symptom of an underlying issue, such as chronic illness, mental health conditions, medication side effects, or lifestyle factors. For example, individuals with depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, or chronic pain may develop insomnia as part of their overall health profile.
Common causes of secondary insomnia include:
- Medical conditions like asthma, GERD, chronic pain, or menopause
- Mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression
- Medications for blood pressure, asthma, or cold symptoms
- Lifestyle factors like caffeine, alcohol, or shift work
- Sleep disorders, including restless legs syndrome or circadian rhythm disturbances
In females, hormonal changes related to pregnancy, PMS, or menopause are also frequent contributors to chronic insomnia and difficulty falling asleep.
How Insomnia Is Diagnosed
To properly diagnose insomnia, it usually begins with a detailed sleep evaluation. At Bogan Sleep Consultants, our sleep specialists conduct a thorough clinical interview to review:
- Sleep habits and patterns
- Duration and severity of insomnia symptoms
- Underlying health conditions
- Medication and lifestyle factors
We may recommend in-lab sleep studies or home-based testing to rule out other sleep disorders like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. These tests also help assess sleep quality, sleep onset, and oxygen levels during the night.
Early identification allows us to tailor treatment based on whether the patient is dealing with primary insomnia, secondary insomnia, or both.
Treating Primary and Secondary Insomnia
Primary Insomnia Treatment
When insomnia is not linked to another medical or psychiatric condition, treatment typically focuses on improving sleep behaviors and addressing the mental patterns that disrupt rest. At Bogan Sleep Consultants, we take a non-invasive, evidence-based approach that often includes:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): Widely recognized as the most effective long-term treatment for primary insomnia, CBT-I helps reframe thoughts and behaviors that interfere with falling or staying asleep.
- Sleep Hygiene Coaching: We work with patients to build better nighttime routines, reduce disruptive habits, and improve the overall sleep environment.
- Relaxation Techniques: From guided breathing to mindfulness practices, we teach calming methods that help reduce pre-sleep anxiety and promote natural sleep onset.
- Medication Support (if needed): In certain cases, short-term use of sleep aids may be considered, but only under the supervision of a qualified sleep medicine provider.
The goal is to retrain your mind and body to associate bedtime with rest—not stress—while building sustainable sleep habits that support long-term health.
Secondary Insomnia Treatment
When insomnia is caused by an underlying issue—such as a chronic illness, mood disorder, or lifestyle factor—our team focuses first on identifying and treating the root cause. Your care plan may include:
- Co-management of underlying medical conditions, such as chronic pain, GERD, or respiratory issues that interfere with sleep
- Medication adjustments for prescriptions that may be contributing to sleep difficulties
- Mental health collaboration when anxiety, depression, or trauma are factors
- Lifestyle coaching to reduce the impact of alcohol, caffeine, shift work, or screen time on your sleep
- Supportive therapies like CBT-I to manage the sleep disturbance while treating the primary condition
When secondary insomnia persists long enough to become chronic, we often recommend a combined approach that addresses both the contributing condition and the insomnia itself. This comprehensive care model allows for more complete, lasting relief.
How Bogan Sleep Consultants Can Help
At Bogan Sleep Consultants, we understand that no two cases of insomnia are the same. Our team offers a range of evidence-based treatments to address both primary and secondary insomnia, with care that’s tailored to your personal health history, symptoms, and goals.
We offer:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): A gold-standard, non-medication approach that targets the thoughts and behaviors interfering with quality sleep.
- Sleep Hygiene Support: We help you build healthier sleep habits and nighttime routines that support long-term improvements in sleep quality.
- Relaxation Techniques: Our specialists teach calming practices—like deep breathing and guided meditation—to reduce stress and promote restful sleep.
- Medication Management: When appropriate, sleep medications may be prescribed and monitored carefully by our sleep medicine experts.
- Lifestyle Counseling: We support sustainable changes such as regular exercise, stress reduction, and screen-time awareness to improve sleep patterns and overall well-being.
If you’re struggling with persistent sleep problems or aren’t sure what’s causing your insomnia, a consultation at Bogan Sleep Consultants can help uncover the root cause and guide you toward effective, lasting relief.
Why Choose Bogan Sleep Consultants?
Led by nationally recognized sleep expert Dr. Richard K. Bogan, our Columbia-based team provides compassionate, science-based care in a supportive environment. We take a whole-person approach to treating insomnia, combining leading diagnostics, behavioral therapies, and medical expertise.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Decades of clinical experience in treating all types of insomnia
- One of the region’s only dedicated sleep centers
- Personalized treatment strategies for sleep onset insomnia, sleep maintenance insomnia, and more
- Trusted by physicians across the Southeast for specialized sleep care
Your sleep is our priority—and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Reclaim Restful Sleep with Expert Care
Insomnia may feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re facing primary insomnia or a more complex, secondary condition, the team at Bogan Sleep Consultants is ready to help you sleep better and feel like yourself again.
Call us or request an appointment online today to start yourpersonalized insomnia treatment plan. Let Dr.Bogan and our team guide you toward deeper rest and better health, one night at a time.
