Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling or staying asleep. All of us experience insomnia from time to time, but when it occurs frequently or chronically, it can take a major toll on quality of life, mood, energy, and productivity.

Cognitive-behavioral Model of Insomnia

The cognitive-behavioral model of insomnia emphasizes the interaction of dysfunctional thoughts about sleep, maladaptive sleep habits, physical arousal, and daytime consequences of sleep loss.

Cognitive-behavior Treatment of Insomnia

The goal of cognitive-behavior therapy is to improve sleep quality, quantity, and consistency by optimizing cognitive, behavioral, physical, and environmental factors known to affect sleep.

Treatment components include:

• education to correct misunderstandings about sleep
• cognitive restructuring focusing on changing thoughts that interfere with sleep
• modifying sleep schedule to maximize drowsiness at bedtime and alertness in the daytime
• removing disruptions in the sleep environment
• relaxation training
• changing habits that interfere with sleep

Sometimes insomnia is part of or due to another disorder, such an anxiety or mood disorder; when this is the case, treatment for these problems may be needed to fully overcome insomnia.