Insomnia Research and Treatment Program
The Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD) is now pleased to offer assessment and non-drug, evidence-based interventions for the treatment of insomnia. Treatment is typically conducted one-on-one with a therapist and occurs over the course of eight weeks. CARD has a sliding scale from $25 to $125 per session for such services. Please call (617) 353-9610 for more information.
What is insomnia?
Insomnia refers to repeated difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or an inability to obtain restful sleep resulting in significant impairment in daytime functioning. Insomnia is a common problem. In fact, studies estimate that insomnia affects one in three adults in the United States each year. In some cases, the onset of these difficulties can be more acute in nature, often in response to increased stress in one’s life, while in other instances the problems can occur over longer periods of time. Insomnia can result in a variety of daytime consequences including fatigue or malaise, loss of energy and motivation, difficulty concentrating and daytime sleepiness. Further, chronic insomnia has been linked with changes in mood such as increased irritability, stress and anxiety.
Symptoms
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up in the middle of the night
- Waking up too early
- Not feeling refreshed after a night’s sleep
- Impairment in daytime functioning
What causes insomnia?
Insomnia is a complex problem that is often due to many factors interacting together. Insomnia has been associated with a variety of factors including acute stress, medical illnesses, medications, emotional difficulties, and other sleep disorders.
What treatments are available for insomnia?
The treatment offered at our center emphasizes cognitive behavioral therapy as opposed to long-term use of medications. Medications can be effective for resolving sleep difficulties, but long-term use of sleeping pills is not recommended. Cognitive behavioral techniques have been found to be at least as effective as medications and there are some data to suggest that effects of this treatment approach may be longer lasting than medications. These therapy techniques are designed to improve poor sleep habits, change attitudes towards sleep, and reduce stress and anxiety that may be contributing to the sleep difficulties. The cognitive behavioral treatment offered at our research center usually involves six to ten clinic visits, either privately or in a group setting, and is designed to provide you with long-lasting skills for managing your sleep difficulties. As part of this program, you will learn a combination of the following cognitive behavioral techniques shown to be effective in managing insomnia:
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment Techniques
- Stimulus Control
- Sleep Restriction
- Adjustment of sleep/ wake cycle
- Sleep hygiene instruction
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Cognitive Restructuring
Who do I contact for more information?
For more information on our research and treatment program, please call 617-353-9610, or email Bonnie Brown, our nurse administrator, at bonnieb@bu.edu. A member of our clinical staff will be happy to speak with you about our program and answer any questions you may have.
