Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

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Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a therapy technique for treating insomnia without (or alongside) medications. CBT-I aims to improve sleep habits and behaviors by identifying and changing thoughts and behaviors that prevent a person from sleeping well.

The first step in treating insomnia with CBT-I is to identify the underlying causes. People with insomnia should evaluate or have their sleep patterns evaluated and take into account all possible factors that may be affecting the person's ability to sleep. This may involve keeping a sleep diary/journal for a couple of weeks, which can help identify patterns of thoughts or behaviors, stressors, etc. that could be contributing to the person's insomnia.^[1]

After identifying the possible underlying causes and the factors contributing to insomnia, the person can begin taking steps toward getting better sleep. In CBT-I these steps include stimulus control, sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, relaxation training, and cognitive therapy. Some sleep specialists recommend biofeedback as well.^[2] Usually, several methods are combined into an overall treatment plan.^[3] Currently no treatment method is recommended over another.^[4]

CBT-I is an effective form of treatment for traditional insomnia, as well as insomnia related to or caused by mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, cancer, and other conditions.