Insomnia is not hereditary. Trouble sleeping can be hereditary, but not real insomnia. A person doesn't have "bouts" of insomnia. A person with insomnia goes for years or life (if they don't get help) sleeping 1-3 hours a night. An insomniac lives a life in physical pain from fatigue, and afraid of the next night and going through it again. This causes depression.
If you have trouble falling asleep, but when you do fall asleep you can sleep for at least 5 hours straight, that's not insomnia. That's trouble falling asleep. It stinks too, I know! But insomniacs never sleep more than 1-2 hours at a time without waking up. It's hell, but there's help now with different combinations of meds.
If you have trouble falling asleep, you can take Lunesta or Rozerem. (By prescription.) Warm milk helps millions of people, and the vitamin Melatonin can work wonders. (3-5Mg's) Use this Sleep disorder forum to discuss more.View Thread