Insomnia can be temporary, lasting only a short period of time, or it can be a longstanding issue.   Short-term insomnia is characterized by a brief period of sleeping difficulty, most often caused by stressful life events. It lasts for less than three months and generally resolves on its own with time and as the amount of stress decreases.    In contrast, chronic insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep on a consistent basis. Those with chronic insomnia experience poor quality sleep a minimum of three nights a week for a period of three months or longer. This type of insomnia can be tied to stressful life events, external environmental factors, fluctuating sleep schedules, underlying medical conditions, inadequate sleep hygiene, and/or coinciding sleep disorders.   Insomnia, whether short-term or long-term, is rarely permanent if treated. If you’re having difficulty falling or remaining asleep, a healthcare professional can help you identify and treat the underlying issues and improve the overall quality of your sleep.