Sleep & INSOMNIA TREATMENT
insomnia can be treated.
Insomnia is the most common type of sleep disorder and is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, difficulty maintaining sleep (e.g., long awakenings at nighttime), and early morning awakening (e.g., waking up too early, before desired bedtime). If you could identify yourself with one of these symptoms, you may be suffering from insomnia. The good news is, there are plenty of evidence to show that insomnia can be treated. And the best part is, that the current gold standard treatment for insomnia does not require medications (!)
6-8 sessions of psychoterapy may be all you need!
Currently, the American Professional Society of Sleep determines that the first line of insomnia treatment should be cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). There are decades of research findings to back up this decision, given its superior long-term benefits compared with some commonly prescribed sleep medications (e.g., benzodiazepines). CBT-I is considered short-term and active treatment, meaning that symptoms can be greatly improved with acquiring a few key skills within 6-8 sessions. These skills include identifying/restructuring maladaptive cognition and behaviors related to sleep or bedtime, as well as practicing healthy sleep hygiene and relaxation techniques.