Psychiatria pre prax 1/2016

Chronic insomnia

Sleep disorders comprise a very heterogeneous group of diseases. In psychiatric practice, we most commonly encounter primary and secondary insomnia, wherein insomnia is a symptom of another disease. Some tricyclic antidepressants, trazodone, mirtazapine, and melatonin can be used in treating chronic insomnia. Drugs generally are of additional importance in treating primary insomnia. The most effective approach is to affect the behavior that is linked to sleep by means of psychotherapy. Currently, cognitive behavioral therapy is considered to be the most sophisticated and effective method.

Keywords: sleep, insomnia, antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy