"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

Therapy beats medication for chronic insomnia.

News briefs

Photo: Yanyoung/iStock

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is urging doctors to recommend a mixture of talk therapy and sleep-habit changes called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-I) for chronic insomnia. It is the primary line of defense for insomnia. This suggestion is contained within the ACP's recent guidelines on the management of chronic insomnia, published on May 2, 2016. History of Internal Medicine. CBT-I has several components, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, that shift anxious thoughts about sleep to more positive thoughts about sleep. reducing bedtime stimuli, equivalent to computer and TV screens; leisure techniques; And a greater sleep environment that’s cool and dark. ACP reports that CBT-I is more likely to be safer than sleep medications, which will be related to unintended effects equivalent to impaired driving and worsening depression. If CBT-I doesn't help improve sleep, the ACP urges doctors to debate the risks and advantages before prescribing the drug.

No material on this site, no matter date, ought to be used as an alternative choice to direct medical advice out of your doctor or other qualified practitioner.