WHAT IS CBT-I?
CBT-I, or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, treats sleep problems. Therapy improves your sleep by:
Treatment involves:
- Identifying negative behaviors and lifestyle factors that are contributing to your poor sleep
- Changing your sleep patterns with a customized plan for each person
- Modifying your negative thoughts and worry about sleep
- Decreasing nighttime worry and calming the overactive mind
- Promoting relaxation
Treatment involves:
- Receiving an individualized sleep plan and recommendations through one-to-one feedback each session
- Completing a weekly sleep diary
- Receiving education about sleep
- Learning techniques to address your sleep problems
- Addressing the underlying thoughts and issues that drive your stress and sleep issues
CBT-I IS AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
CBT- I is the front line treatment for insomnia, according to the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Research studies have found that CBT-I is more effective than medication for chronic insomnia and about equally effective for short-term insomnia. In fact, in some cases, CBT-I can improve depression symptoms and decrease chronic pain. Because the treatment has few risks and many long-term benefits, CBT-I is a good approach for many people with sleep problems.