Psychiatria pre prax 1/2006

THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC INSOMNIA – IS AN AGE THE CRUCIAL FACTOR?

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, which is encountered at the specialised clinics for sleep and vigil disorders. It can be encountered at any age and affects both sexes with mild female predominance. This article is dedicated to the treatment of chronic insomnia and alerts on the differences with regards to patient’s age. Both methods, pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy (especially cognitive behavioural psychotherapy – CBP), can be used in insomniacs of any age only with certain exceptions. Long-term use of benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine medications is risky for insomniacs with organic psychosyndrome and impaired cognitive functions. Drugs of both mentioned medication groups impair cognitive functions and can influence quality of consciousness – induce a delirium. CBP can be used alone or in combination with the pharmacotherapy. CBP is not possible to use in patients with organic psychosyndrome a structured personality, that does not enable a co-operation.

Keywords: chronic insomnie, cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine medications.