• Psychoactive drugs or stimulants, including certain medication, herbs, caffeine, cocaine, ephedrine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, MDMA, methamphetamine and modafinil.
• Hormone shifts such as those that preceed menstruation and those during menopause.
• Psychological problems like fear, stress, anxiety, emotional or mental tension, work problems, financial stress, unsatisfactory sex life.
• Mental Disorders such as clinical depression, bipolar disorder, general anxiety disorder, sleep disorders
  Disturbances of the circadian rhythm such as shift work and jet lag.
• Certain neurological disorders, brain lesions, or a history of Traumatic brain injury.
• Medical conditions such as Hyperthyroidism and Wilson's Syndrome.
• Abuse of over-the counter sleep aids as well as prescribed insomnia medications can produce Rebound insomnia.
• Insomnia also sometimes occurs for no apparent reason.

An overactive mind or physical pain may also be causes. Finding the underlying cause of insomnia is usually necessary to cure it. Insomnia can be common after the loss of a loved one, even months or a year after the death, if they are not grieving correctly (pretending they are over it when they are not)..

Ambien
Ambien can be very effective in the short-term treatment of insomnia. It can help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and not awaken prematurely. If taken as prescribed, Ambien can give you the good night's sleep your body demands without lingering drowsiness the following day.

Sonata
Sonata (zaleplon) is the latest medication in sleep treatment for patients who have short-term or transient insomnia. Only Sonata can be taken at bedtime or later, after patients have tried to fall asleep on their own. Patients need to remain in bed 4 or more hours before becoming active again.