Psychological Treatment

Psychological therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is an important part of insomnia treatment because of the close connection between sleep and behavior. Psychological treatments for insomnia delivered in routine general practice settings can help improve sleep quality and reduce medication consumption with the costs and side effects associated with it. Cognitive behavioral approaches to treating insomnia enable the patient to learn behaviors that cause good sleep and avoid those behaviors that perpetuate insomnia. Useful behavioral techniques include:

• relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation
• sleep restriction therapy, which is a behavioral technique that limits time in bed in order to get to sleep and stay asleep throughout the night
• stimulus control therapy, which involves purposefully creating a sleep environment that encourages good sleep and
• cognitive therapy and reconditioning which helps you develop positive thoughts and beliefs about sleep.

Most people who have cured their insomnia have done so using a combination of psychological therapy and medication. As with many similar health problems, it is important to find a holistic solution that suits the individual's lifestyle and brings long-term benefits.