What is insomnia therapy?
Insomnia therapy is a tailored form of treatment that addresses chronic sleep disturbances, which can include problems with falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep. The goal of Insomnia therapy is to enhance sleep quality, establish healthy sleep routines, and, in turn, improve an individual's overall well-being by mitigating and reducing the adverse effects of persistent sleep deprivation.
How does insomnia therapy work?
Insomnia therapy combines therapeutic approaches, with a central focus on cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) to modify sleep-disrupting thoughts and behaviors, integrating techniques like stimulus control, sleep restriction, and relaxation training. Thriveworks Knoxville therapists will also emphasize sleep hygiene education and may include mindfulness and relaxation exercises to improve sleep quality, equipping individuals with effective strategies to enhance their sleep and overall well-being.
Symptoms of insomnia
Common symptoms of insomnia include:
- Having a hard time falling asleep
- Waking up in the middle of the night
- Waking up earlier than desired
- Bedtime anxiety about sleeplessness
- Grogginess during the day due to lack of sleep
Should I go to therapy for insomnia?
Symptoms of insomnia often look different for everyone; however, there are some warning signs that can signal the need for insomnia therapy. These include feeling anxious about bedtime, bedtimes getting later and later, energy peaking at night rather than during the day, and drastic caffeine consumption in order to stay awake.
What is the best therapy for insomnia?
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is one of the most effective forms of therapy for treating insomnia, working to modify sleep-disrupting thoughts and behaviors through strategies like sleep hygiene and sleep restriction.
Is insomnia therapy conducted in person or online?
Insomnia therapy at Thriveworks Knoxville is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
How long should you go to therapy for insomnia?
The duration of insomnia therapy can vary based on the individual's needs and progress in treatment. Typically, it involves a short series of sessions over a few weeks to a couple of months, with the number and length of sessions decided in consultation with the therapist. Some experience better sleep within this time, while others choose longer therapy to address complex sleep issues or maintain good sleep habits.
How long does CBT take to work for insomnia?
Many people start to see improvements in their sleep patterns after about two to three weeks of CBT-I. However, the duration and effectiveness will differ for everyone, so don't worry if it takes a bit longer to have a strong effect.
Need more help deciding?
Everyone needs sleep. That isn’t exactly breaking news, but it is true nonetheless. We all know the feeling of trying to make it through a busy day when there wasn’t much sleep to be had the night before. It is hard to focus on your work or your family while you are tired, and it is easy to have a short temper while fatigued. If you struggle with getting the sleep you need, counseling for insomnia may be a solution that could lead to real results.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people. If you struggle to sleep at night, you can know that you aren’t alone. One of the mistakes that is made by people who struggle with insomnia is an insistence on keeping that struggle to themselves. There is no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed about your sleep problems, and you could potentially make those problems worse by keeping them secret. There are many potential solutions to your insomnia problems available today, but you can only obtain those solutions if you are willing to open up about the issue.
You are likely to face struggles in your day-to-day life if you deal with insomnia, and those struggles could range far beyond irritability and poor focus. Consider the potential problems below that may arise over time –
- Poor performance at work due to a lack of sleep could lead to discipline or even termination
- Driving while tired could put you and other drivers at risk on the road
- You could experience a decline in sex drive if you are regularly failing to get enough sleep
- Basic memory functions could decline without a proper amount of rest
The list above contains just a few of many potential side effects associated with insomnia. To get yourself back on track from a sleep perspective, consider speaking with a qualified counselor for formal insomnia therapy. An experienced counselor can help you get to the bottom of the underlying issues at play, hopefully leading to better night’s sleep on a regular basis.
To schedule a session in Knoxville for insomnia therapy, please give us a call at your convenience. We look forward to helping you get the sleep you deserve.