Research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective and efficient treatment for insomnia. CBT is a time-limited, active treatment that aims to reduce insomnia by challenging unhelpful ways of thinking and by reversing patterns of behavior that allow insomnia to persist.
Unhelpful ways of thinking in insomnia include excessive worry about sleep loss and its daytime consequences, as well as nighttime apprehension and anxiety about sleep. CBT helps people learn to identify and challenge these patterns of thinking.
 Unhelpful behavior patterns in insomnia include spending excessive amounts of time in bed, daytime napping, and irregular sleep schedules. In CBT, people learn to change their behavior so that it is easier to fall asleep at the right time.
Research shows that CBT is an effective and efficient treatment for people with chronic insomnia. After only a small number of sessions, patients receiving CBT report decreased time to fall asleep, decreased nighttime awakening, and greater total sleep time. Levels of overall emotional distress also were decreased as sleep quality improved. Even a year later, sleep remained improved.
Approximately one third of all adults will suffer from insomnia in any given year. One in ten adults will have persistent, chronic insomnia that impacts their quality of life. Often the idea of going to regular therapy appointments can seem daunting for those that are already struggling to get to their jobs or are afraid of falling asleep while they drive. The Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can offer you a computerized treatment for Insomnia that will allow you to complete the majority of your treatment at home with minimal therapist contact. RESTORE™ is a 6 week program designed to help patients break the cycle of insomnia by utilizing proven cognitive behavioral interventions.
|
|
|