What is Insomnia?

It is estimated that over 70 million Americans have some form of a sleep disorder. But what is insomnia and how can it affect one’s functioning? Insomnia is any kind of difficulty that one has with the natural process of sleep. 

There are several types of insomnia:

• Sleep Onset Insomnia, or difficulty falling asleep.
• Terminal Insomnia, or waking up earlier than one wants to.
• Restless Sleep, or poor quality sleep.

Sleep problems can have a profound effect on one’s life. Clients with insomnia often feel exhausted and have a hard time functioning in their day to day life. Additionally, insomnia is associated with depression, anxiety, memory problems, and other health concerns. 

How is Insomnia Treated?

There are a number of effective modalities to address insomnia and improve sleep. For some, simple sleep hygiene can improve sleep. Sleep hygiene includes things like going to bed at the same time each night, avoiding alcohol before bed, and ensuring the room in which you sleep is cool, quiet, and dark. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia is an evidence based approach to insomnia that involves address one’s thoughts and behaviors related to sleep. Someone undergoing CBT-i may restrict the amount of time they spend in bed, get out of bed within a few minutes if not falling asleep, or identifying and modifying cognitive distortions that get in the way of good sleep.

Finally, neurofeedback is a well-established method with strong research support for its ability to address sleep problems. From a neurofeedback perspective, sleep disorders can be caused by a number of different brain dysregulations, including arousal regulation deficits, disinhibition of the prefrontal cortex, altered circadian rhythm, or unresolved traumatic material that interferes with sleep.

If you would like more information on how neurofeedback might be helpful to you for your insomnia, please give me a call.