Insomnia can be defined as a purpose or apparent complexity in falling and staying asleep. Variations in variables used for measurement sleep-onset time, time asleep, and time awake by some, sleepiness, irritability, or other impairment of daytime function by others, make difficult comparisons between studies. The insomnia treatments for which there is confirmation of efficacy include sleep restriction, in which the patient is instructed to remain in bed only as long as he is actually sleeping, stimulus control no activities in the bedroom except sleep and sex, and a variety of relaxation methods, particularly in the circumstance of multimodal sleep clinics (Rowe, 1995).
While sleeping medication is big business, research has shown that the most successful treatment for insomnia is really cognitive behavioral therapy. This approach to psychotherapy was first founded by such leading researchers as Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck. Beck's exceptional research, theoretical formulation and clinical methods were first published in a series of considerable books and articles in the 1960's and 1970's. Additional research since the publication of these books and articles has shown the usefulness and effectiveness of this treatment approach with regular psychological and physical disorders including anxiety, chronic pain and insomnia. The most noteworthy aspect of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for insomnia is that it in fact treats the cause of the insomnia itself and not just the indications as medication does. Additionally, CBT can be united with medication administration for patients who need quick relief or to help primarily break a pattern of insomnia. CBT works because the main cause of insomnia is over stimulation or a too active awake structure in the brain. By helping to decrease the arousal connected with the stressors that cause and continue insomnia, normal sleep can be restored (Cline, 2008).
Traditional treatments for chronic insomnia include drugs such as...