A study at Loughborough University in the U.K. noted that psychological treatment for insomnia improved sleep quality, reduced hypnotic drug use, and improved health-related quality of life for long-term medication users with chronic sleep difficulties.

Other research has shown psychotherapy to be superior to prescription sleeping medication. In a study at Harvard Medical School, researchers said the widespread use of psychotherapy "could improve the quality of life of a large numbers of patients with insomnia."

Research has indicated that psychotherapy can provide lasting change for people with sleep disorders. One study found that psychotherapy provided clinically significant sleep improvements within 6 weeks and that the improvements lasted through 6 months of follow-ups.

A number of studies on insomnia and psychotherapy have used cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an effective method for treating sleep disorders.

One study found that CBT actually helped to change people’s fundamental beliefs about sleep habits, concluding, "CBT is effective for reducing dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and such changes are associated with other positive outcomes in insomnia treatment." These findings highlight the importance of targeting sleep-related beliefs and attitudes in psychotherapy.

Insomnia can be triggered by psychological stress. Dealing with stress, through psychotherapy and other techniques, may be the key to a better night’s rest. Many trials have shown that psychological intervention can be beneficial for insomnia.

A combined program of sleep counseling, sleep restriction methods (i.e., the only time spent in bed is when sleeping), and control of stimuli that interfere with sleep, significantly increased sleep time in a group of people with insomnia.

A steady sleeping and eating schedule combined with dietary modifications and counseling sessions using behavioral therapy has been shown to reduce insomnia.

References
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