Home Insomnic Treatment

Short-term insomnia may be caused by a lifestyle disruption such as a family illness or by job stress and can typically be treated with natural sleep aids or over the counter medication. Chronic insomnia may call for a thorough physical examination, and may require changes to lifestyle habits, medicine and, perhaps, psychotherapy to identify a hidden cause.

Persistent, chronic insomnia is something you should discuss with your family doctor first to rule out an underlying problem and to try an appropriate medication. If you have ongoing problems such as depression, anxiety, or stress, your doctor may suggest seeing a psychiatrist (a physician specialist who can do medication management to treat both the insomnia and the other ongoing problems.) Insomnia may also respond to non-medical treatment such as therapies undertaken by a psychologist or therapist.

Sedatives are drugs that can help induce sleep, but may be addictive with extended use. They can be dangerous if combined with alcohol or other drugs that depress the central nervous system.

Antidepressant drugs may be used in people with depression to also help with sleep. They are not however, approved for the treatment of insomnia.

Over-the-counter sleep drugs usually contain an antihistamine. Although antihistamines are primarily used for allergies, they have a side effect of drowsiness.

Many insomniacs simply need help relaxing. For some, the worry over trying to get to sleep just makes them more anxious and keeps them awake. If you and your doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist determines that the cause of insomnia is stress, any treatment must address the underlying problem of stress in your life.

If you or a family member has these symptoms and daily life is being compromised as a result, you may wish to contact our psychiatric office for a consultation at (805) 497-1618.