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 Peachtree City 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 Peachtree City 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?
Sleep is something that most people take for granted. For many people, all it takes to fall asleep is a quick brush of their teeth, changing into some pajamas, getting into bed, and laying their head down on the pillow. In just a few minutes, they will be sound out and they won’t be back awake until the birds start chirping in the morning. This is the ideal situation for the average person, as getting a full night’s sleep is a great way to feel your best tomorrow.
Of course, if you are fighting insomnia currently, you know that it isn’t always that easy. Sure, you go through the same routine as everyone else, but sometimes the sleep just won’t come. For whatever reason, you lay awake for hours, getting more and more frustrated that you can’t seem to nod off.
Missing out on sleep isn’t just a problem of comfort – going through life fatigued can severely limit what you are able to accomplish. Consider the following list of potential side effects that can come along with insomnia –
- Declining performance at work or school
- Negative attitude and short temper
- Loss of physical fitness, weight gain
- Dangerous situations while driving due to drowsiness
Unfortunately, many of the people who struggle with insomnia decide to keep the problem to themselves. Don’t put yourself in that category. This is a problem that is faced by millions of people, and it is certainly nothing to be embarrassed about. If you are willing to talk to others about your insomnia problems, you may be able to start working yourself out of the situation – and you might help others find assistance along the way.
Here at Peachtree City, we are happy to offer insomnia counseling to affected individuals. Speaking with a qualified and experienced counselor about your lack of sleep may be the first step down the road to recovery. There are no guarantees when it comes to fixing insomnia, but therapy has been successfully for many previous patients and it is worth your consideration as a potential solution.
To get started, please feel free to give us a call at your convenience.