Insomnia DisorderMany of us has experienced some form of insomnia in our lives and approximately 10-15% of adults experiences chronic symptoms of insomnia. Most cases of insomnia are a consequence of another medical or mental health disorder, use of substances, or due to other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. However, a number of individuals suffer from primary insomnia, or sleep problems that are not caused by another disorder, with insomnia being the primary complaint.
What is Insomnia Disorder?Insomnia is considered as a Sleep-Wake Disorder characterized by poor sleep quantity or quality (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Symptoms include: difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep (e.g., frequent wakings and/or difficulty falling back to sleep after waking), and/or waking up too early in the morning and then not being able to fall back asleep. These symptoms cause considerably distress and may impact an individual's functioning. For example, they may have difficulties in school, at work, in relationships, etc.
There are many consequences of insomnia (Roth, 2007) including, but not limited to: depression or anxiety, difficulty regulating emotions, decreased qualify of life, increased incidence of accidents, poor health, etc. How do you Treat Insomnia?First, it is important to determine what is contributing to symptoms of insomnia. Therefore, a thorough assessment should be completed to help inform treatment recommendations. For example, if symptoms of insomnia are determined to be primarily caused by depression, then the depression symptoms should be addressed. If symptoms of insomnia are determined to be primarily caused by a medical condition such as sleep apnea, then treatment recommendations should include a sleep study and consult with a physician.
When appropriate, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Insomnia can be a useful and effective intervention. CBT for Insomnia includes tracking sleep patterns and symptoms (e.g., sleep logs), psychoeducation which may include sleep hygiene training and education on biological aspects of sleep, stimulus control techniques, sleep restriction, relaxation strategies, and cognitive restructuring around unhealthy thoughts and beliefs that may interfere with sleep. Resources |
Erin Mitchell, MSW, LCSW
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References
Roth (2007). Insomnia: Definition, Prevalence, Etiology, and Consequences. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 15(3), 7-10.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
