Are you experiencing any of these common symptoms of insomnia?
- Difficulty falling asleep at night
- Waking up during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
- Waking up too early
- Feeling tired upon waking
- Daytime irritability
The National Sleep Foundation estimates that one third of American adults suffer from insomnia every night and that half this number experience this problem at least a few night per week. Persistent insomnia is a particularly disruptive condition that can significantly reduce the quality of one’s life and one’s sense of well-being. It can also adversely affect mood and cause problems with concentration, attention, and memory.
We can help! To learn more call (703)-437-6311 or send an email to Info@centerforlifestrategies.com
There are two types of insomnia; primary insomnia and secondary insomnia.
Primary insomnia occurs when a person is having problems sleeping that are not directly associated with any other health condition or problem.
Secondary insomnia occurs when a person is having problems sleeping because of something else, such as an illness, or pain, or a medication they are taking.
Insomnia can vary in how long it lasts and how often it occurs. It can be short-term (acute insomnia) or can last a long time (chronic insomnia). It can also come and go. Acute insomnia can last from one night to a few weeks. A person who has insomnia at least three nights a week for a month or longer has chronic insomnia.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has consistently been proven to be the most effective first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. It improves sleep in 75%-80% of insomnia patients and eliminates sleeping pill use in almost half of patients. In three major studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Archives of Internal Medicine that directly compared CBT to sleeping pills, CBT was more effective than sleeping pills. CBT also has no side effects and maintains improvement in sleep long-term.
Dr. Linda Ritchie specializes in using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, a very structured and effective therapy approach for treating insomnia.
To learn more about CBT and how you might use it to improve your sleep, call (703)-437-6311 or send an email to Info@centerforlifestrategies.com. We will schedule a Free consultation by telephone or in person with an experienced therapist to discuss your needs and how our services may benefit you.