Insomnia and Sleep Disorders

Research has shown that a sleep problem in either partner causes relationship problems for both. Conversely, relationship problems are a major source of sleep difficulties in both men and women. In addition, women who are higher in marital happiness have a significantly lower risk of having insomnia compared to women who are unhappily married or single.

Sleep Research

According to a study published in the November 1, 2006 issue of the journal, Sleep, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) of insomnia has proved to be as, or more, effective in treating chronic insomnia as sleeping pills. In only a few weeks, CBT gives you tools you can use to solve future sleep problems yourself. That's what makes CBT such a valuable insomnia treatment. It's safe, highly effective and can be a lasting solution for sleep problems.

Sleep is essential for a person’s health and wellbeing, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). Yet millions of people do not get enough sleep and many suffer from lack of sleep. For example, surveys conducted by the NSF (1999-2004) reveal that at least 40 million Americans suffer from over 70 different sleep disorders and 60 percent of adults report having sleep problems a few nights a week or more. Most of those with these problems go undiagnosed and untreated. In addition, more than 40 percent of adults experience daytime sleepiness severe enough to interfere with their daily activities at least a few days each month - with 20 percent reporting problem sleepiness a few days a week or more. Furthermore, 69 percent of children experience one or more sleep problems a few nights or more during a week.

The first step in treating sleep disorders

Not all insomnia is the same. That's why the first step in treatment is evaluation: Is your troubled sleep primary insomnia, or does it arise from a medical, psychiatric or other serious sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea? Most people who have insomnia with no underlying medical conditions tend to recover within a few weeks. For those who develop insomnia from a traumatic event (such as those with posttraumatic stress disorder), sleep disruptions can continue indefinitely. People who become dependent on sleeping pills and prescription medication for sleep often have the most difficulty overcoming insomnia.

Treatment will begin with careful evaluation, both in my office and in your home. If you are a candidate for CBT, we will work together on a program designed specifically for you.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Insomnia and Trouble Sleeping

According to the National Institutes of Health, over 1.6 million Americans use complementary and alternative medicine therapies to battle insomnia and trouble sleeping.

Those using CAM to treat insomnia or trouble sleeping were more likely to use biologically based therapies (nearly 65 percent), such as herbal therapies, or mind-body therapies (more than 39 percent), such as relaxation techniques. A majority of people who used herbal or relaxation therapies for their insomnia reported that they were helpful. The two most common reasons people gave for using CAM to treat insomnia were they thought it would be interesting to try (nearly 67 percent) and they thought CAM combined with a conventional treatment would be helpful (nearly 64 percent).