Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia available

Do you have trouble falling asleep? Are you frequently awake for long periods of time in the middle of the night, or unable to fall back asleep at all? You are not alone.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that “as many as 30-35 percent of adults in the US complain of insomnia.” The CDC defines insomnia as the inability to maintain or initiate sleep. There are several forms of insomnia that plague Americans today. Insomnia can be acute or chronic, and it can impact your ability to fall asleep or your ability to stay asleep throughout the night. Regardless of the presentation, research has shown that sleeping medications are not the only treatment for insomnia.

The NIH recommends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) to be the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. The basic premise around CBTi is to re-train yourself to be a “good sleeper” while teaching your mind to associate the bed with sleep, and only sleep. This behavioral treatment has been shown to be just as beneficial, and in some cases, more effective than sleep medications. If you are in the 30 percent of Americans who believe they are struggling with insomnia, you are likely aware that the inability to sleep is anxiety provoking and can lead to complications in all areas of your life. CBTi specifically addresses this anxiety and can be an affordable and lasting treatment modality.

For more information on an upcoming CBTi workshop, or to schedule an appointment with a clinician, contact Work/Life Connections – Employee Assistance Program at 615-936-1327.