cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

Rather than the individual feeling like they’re at insomnia’s mercy, one aim is to put them back in the driver’s seat so they have more control over their mental and physical health.Īnother possible element of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is sleep restriction therapy. If the individual’s thoughts and behaviors are not conducive to adequate sleep, the therapist helps them reframe these patterns. The therapist works with the client to identify feelings and actions that might be contributing to the insomnia. This form of cognitive behavioral therapy looks at how one thinks, behaves and sleeps. Let’s talk more about how a therapist might employ CBT for chronic insomnia (CBT-I2). CBT is beneficial as it’s a holistic approach to addressing mental health that’s both safe and long-lasting. A qualified therapist can help determine the best approach for each individual’s needs and goals. This will give the client the tools and resources they need to improve their sleep on their own.ĬBT looks different from person to person. Feel more confident in their ability to manage their anxiety, and therefore, their sleep.Find healthy ways to cope with their anxiety.Learn to recognize how their anxiety is manifesting and impacting their health.CBT isn’t a bandage but a long-term solution. Better understand what’s causing their anxiety in the first place.For example, someone suffers from insomnia due to intense and chronic anxiety, in which the insomnia is a byproduct of anxiety. One core principle of cognitive behavioral therapy is the encouragement of individuals to examine and change both their thinking and behavioral patterns. The ultimate goal of CBT is to improve an individual’s quality of life-in this case, by getting to the root of their sleeping problem and personalizing a plan of action to counter. Let’s dive deeper into what CBT is exactly…Ĭognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals who are experiencing issues to include, but not limited to: depression, anxiety, substance use and-you guessed it-insomnia. CBT has ample support from the scientific community. In both research and clinical practice, CBT has provided markedly positive results-at times, better even, than other forms of therapy and even certain medications. What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia?ĬBT is a proven method, backed by science, in which a person can learn to change the way they think, subsequently changing the way they feel.

So, what can someone do if they’re struggling? One answer is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It leads to poor concentration and difficulty focusing and can even disrupt one’s coordination and cause gastrointestinal disturbances. In addition, it can trigger emotional challenges like depression and anxiety. If you are someone who consistently has trouble falling or staying asleep, then you know how much it can affect your general wellness. Somewhere between 33 to 50% of the adult population experiences insomnia symptoms, while chronic insomnia disorder impacts about 10 to 15%.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia