Chronic Insomnia

ABSTRACT

Chronic insomnia afflicts millions of people in the United States. It is associated with decreased quality of life, accidents, several comorbid conditions, increased morbidity, and substantial direct and indirect costs. Chronic insomnia is a multifactorial and individualized disorder. Its etiology may be cognitive or physiologic in nature (or both), and is more often than not associated with a comorbid condition, complicating its recognition, evaluation, and treatment. Effective nonpharmacotherapeutic (cognitive–behavioral therapy for insomnia) and pharmacotherapeutic (hypnotic medications) treatment modalities are available. Treatment of chronic insomnia can make a significant improvement in quality of life, and may also be associated with an improvement in comorbid conditions.

KEYWORDS

Chronic insomnia - sleep - comorbidity - cognitive–behavioral therapy - hypnotic

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