Which statement reflects the DSM-5 criteria for chronic insomnia disorder?

Which statement reflects the DSM-5 criteria for chronic insomnia disorder?

• A. Difficult initiating/maintaining sleep or early morning awakening at least 3 nights/week for 3 months, causing distress or impairment, not explained by another condition or substance
• B. Sleep disturbance occurs only during naps
• C. Sleep disturbance is due to another medical condition
• D. Sleep disturbance resolves within 2 weeks

Answer: (A)

Insomnia disorder in DSM-5 is defined by persistent sleep difficulty—initiating, maintaining, or early-morning awakening—occurring at least three nights per week for a minimum of three months, causing clinically significant distress or impairment, with adequate opportunity to sleep, and not better explained by another condition, mental disorder, medical condition, or substance. This statement fits because it specifies the key elements: the frequency (at least three nights per week), the duration (three months), the impact (distress or impairment), and the exclusion (not explained by another condition or substance). It also aligns with the requirement that there be sufficient opportunity to sleep, which is part of the criteria. The other options don’t fit: sleep disturbance only during naps wouldn’t meet the nocturnal focus of insomnia; if sleep problems are due to another medical condition, that would be a different, secondary diagnosis; and resolving within two weeks would be too short and would characterize acute insomnia rather than chronic insomnia.

Insomnia disorder in DSM-5 is defined by persistent sleep difficulty—initiating, maintaining, or early-morning awakening—occurring at least three nights per week for a minimum of three months, causing clinically significant distress or impairment, with adequate opportunity to sleep, and not better explained by another condition, mental disorder, medical condition, or substance.

This statement fits because it specifies the key elements: the frequency (at least three nights per week), the duration (three months), the impact (distress or impairment), and the exclusion (not explained by another condition or substance). It also aligns with the requirement that there be sufficient opportunity to sleep, which is part of the criteria.

The other options don’t fit: sleep disturbance only during naps wouldn’t meet the nocturnal focus of insomnia; if sleep problems are due to another medical condition, that would be a different, secondary diagnosis; and resolving within two weeks would be too short and would characterize acute insomnia rather than chronic insomnia.