What is insomnia commonly referred to as?

Insomnia is commonly referred to as sleeplessness, which accurately describes the primary symptom of the condition: difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or awakening too early and not being able to return to sleep. This term directly captures the experience of individuals who struggle with insomnia, highlighting their persistent challenges with sleep rather than implying other related issues.

While the other options relate to different sleep or health conditions, they do not encapsulate the essence of insomnia. Depression refers to a mood disorder that may have overlapping symptoms with insomnia but is a separate diagnosis. Sleep apnea is a specific condition characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep, which is distinct from the experience of insomnia. Fatigue is a general term for extreme tiredness and can be a consequence of insomnia but does not specifically identify the condition itself. Thus, the term sleeplessness is the most precise and widely recognized descriptor for insomnia.