Behavioral Therapy A Treatment Option for Insomnia

You can't flip on a talk show or thumb through a magazine without seeing a feature or article on sleep disorders. While quick fixes like eliminating late night caffeine or shutting off electronic devices an hour before bed can help some, individuals with chronic sleep challenges know that finding relief requires a more in-depth approach to the problem.

Physicians who specialize in sleep start with a complete evaluation and sleep history. Treatment can range from lifestyle changes to surgery based on the cause. One of the tools available to the physician is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. The science behind CBT focuses on changing sleep habits and scheduling factors, as well as misconceptions that perpetuate sleep difficulties. Techniques may include relaxation therapy, stimulus control, sleep hygiene, biofeedback and sleep restriction.

CBT has been proven to be a safe and effective means of managing chronic insomnia and may be included as part of an individual's treatment plan. Although it may be tempting to simply treat insomnia with a medication, studies have shown that patients treated with CBT achieve longer lasting results.


July 28, 2014