Nearly one-third of adults report trouble falling or staying asleep, and an estimated 40%-50% of individuals with insomnia also have another mental health disorder. At Nurocoach in Houston, Texas, a compassionate mental health professional team provides diagnosis and treatment for sleep disorders and associated psychiatric disorders. Call the practice nearest you or schedule an appointment online for a consultation.
Sleep disorders, sometimes called sleep-wake disorders, cause problems with the amount or quality of sleep you get. People with sleep disorders often have daytime sleepiness or impairment in functioning due to their lack of sleep. There are several types of sleep disorders, including:
Sleep disorders contribute to or cause various mental health conditions, such as cognitive disorders, anxiety, or depression.
If your doctor suspects you have a sleep disorder, they order a sleep study called a polysomnography. Sleep studies record your brain waves, heart rate, the oxygen level in your blood, breathing, and amount of eye and leg movements while you sleep.
Polysomnography tests help diagnose sleep disorders and give doctors the information needed to develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I or CBTI) is an evidence-based approach to relieving insomnia symptoms. Trained CBT-I providers identify thoughts, behaviors, and feelings that contribute to insomnia.
After identifying the thoughts and feelings that prevent and promote sleep, the provider can help you reframe the challenges and misconceptions to help you achieve higher quality sleep.
Most people need about 6-8 CBT-I treatment sessions. Although some people improve with fewer sessions, others will need additional treatment to achieve results.
CBT-I is a multicomponent treatment option for insomnia as it combines several approaches involving:
Restructuring how you think about sleep can help change inaccurate or unhelpful thoughts about sleep that keep you awake. Previous problems falling to sleep can cause you to worry about not being able to fall asleep and create a difficult cycle you need to break to get quality sleep.
Learning relaxation techniques and limiting stimulating activities before and during bedtime can help you establish healthier sleep patterns. If you eat, use your cell phone, laptop, or watch television in bed, you may need to eliminate these activities to promote healthy sleep habits. During treatment, only use your bed for sleep and sex.
Understanding the connection between your thoughts, behaviors, and feelings is important to successful CBT-I treatment, so your doctor provides education throughout the treatment.
If you struggle to fall asleep or frequently wake throughout the night, call Nurocoach or schedule an appointment online for a consultation.
