Can Trazodone Be Taken For Insomnia?

Posted on Sun, 10 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 10 Jul 2016 Answered on

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Ok well been stressing for months thinking about different things which is normal. One thing that never happened was that I didn't feel good so I went to the doctor and I didn't know why so it stressed me out not knowing and at the same I was of other things like because I'm 36 and don't have my own place or kids and I'm not making as much money as I want. I also was a little stressed because I been having a hard time finishing my route ( I'm a mailman). Well for months I been waking up at 3 am and at first I could go back to sleep but recently I would wake up and then couldn't go back to sleep. Then last week I was told my mom has cancer. That same night I couldnt fall asleep at all. So I went to the a hospital a few days later cuz I still wasn't feeling good and I wasnt sleeping. So the doctor finally found that I had a sinus infection so I'm taking antibiotics and using a nasal spray and they also gave me trazodone to sleep cuz no matter what I could fall asleep since I was told my mom has cancer and might die. So I could see how the insomnia could be stressed but I don't get how my body just forgot how to sleep. I have never had a problem falling asleep. I get the stress but I'm wondering if it could be something else also

Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Trazadone is a good choice for sleep problems.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I am sorry you are having so much trouble with sleeping. There are medical causes for this, but you have a significant stressor with your's mom's diagnosis that would explain the insomnia.

Regarding other causes for insomnia, make sure not to have any caffeine (including in sodas) after 4 pm. And consider getting a thyroid panel blood test as an overactive thyroid gland can sometimes cause anxiety and insomnia.

That said, dealing with your mom having cancer is very hard, and anxiety provoking. Many people have problems sleeping given this situation. Trazadone is a good medication for sleeping and can help with depression too. I think it would be reasonable to use this on a regular basis.

I also recommend meditation techniques that you can do in the evening to calm your mind and body, such as 4 x 4 breathing. In this technique, you get comfortable in a chair (or can be lying down) and inhale calmly, counting to 4, then exhale counting to 4. Do this for 4 breath cycles and then start over again. Do this for 4 minutes. During this time, it is natural for your mind to wander away from focusing on counting your breaths, and when this happens, just gently acknowledge that your mind had wandered and return to focusing on your breaths - with no harshness or judgement that your mind had wandered.

Practice this daily, and in time, increase the amount of time to 5 minutes, etc. As this becomes a routine, you will get better and better at it. In addition to calming your thoughts before bed, it can be a good skill to fall back on when you need it.

I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar