Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Insomnia is categorised by difficulties in initiating sleep or maintaining sleep, and/or early awakenings. It is a common and significant problem that impacts on the physical, mental and social well-being of sufferers as well as their families and carers. Around 25% of the general population experiences insomnia at some point and 20–50% will seek help from their GP. This article aims to provide an overview of the common causes of insomnia and how best to manage them in primary care.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

American Sleep Association (2010). Sleep disorder resources for health professionals. Retrieved from www.sleepassociation.org/index.php?p=informationforphysicians.

Buysse

Reynolds

Kupfer

Thorpy

Bixler

Manfredi

… Mesiano

(1994) Clinical diagnoses in 216 insomnia patients using the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD), DSM-IV and ICD-10 categories: a report from the APA/NIMH DSM-IV field trial. Sleep: Journal of Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine 17(7): 630–637.

Ersser

Wiles

Taylor

Wade

Walsh

Bentley

(1999) The sleep of older people in hospital and nursing homes. Journal of Clinical Nursing 8(4): 360–368. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2702.1999.00267.x.

Espie

C.A.

Inglis

S.J.

Tessier

Harvey

(2001) The clinical effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic insomnia: implementation and evaluation of a sleep clinic in general medical practice. Behaviour Research and Therapy 39(1): 45–60. doi: 10.1016/S0005-7967(99)00157-6.

Falloon

Arroll

Raina Elley

Fernando

(2011) The assessment and management of insomnia in primary care. British Medical Journal 42: d2899–d2899. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d2899.

Health Article.Sleeplessness. Retrieved from http://healthtools.aarp.org/galecontent/insomnia.

Morin

C. M.

(2004) Cognitive behavioural approaches to the treatment of insomnia. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 65(Suppl. 16): 33–40.

NHS Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Clinical topic—Insomnia. Retrieved from www.cks.nhs.uk/insomnia/management/scenario_assessment/assessment.

NICE. (2005). Guidance on the Use of Zaleplon, Zolpidem and Zopiclone for the Short-Term Management of Insomnia. Retrieved from www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/11530/32845/32845.pdf.

10.

Patient UK. Sleep Diary. Retrieved from www.patient.co.uk/health/Sleep-Diary.htm.

11.

Petit

Azad

Byszewski

Sarazan

F. F.

Power

(2003) Non-pharmacological management of primary and secondary insomnia among older people: review of assessment tools and treatments. Age and Ageing 32(1): 19–25. doi: 10.1093/ageing/32.1.19.

12.

RCGP. Clinical example 3.05: Care of older adults. Retrieved from www.rcgp-curriculum.org.uk/pdf/RCGP-Curriculum-3.05-Older-Adults.pdf.

13.

RCGP. Clinical example 3.10: Care of people with mental health problems. Retrieved from www.rcgp-curriculum.org.uk/pdf/RCGP-Curriculum-3.10-Mental-Health-Problems.pdf.

14.

RCGP. Clinical example 3.14: Care of people who misuse drugs and alcohol. Retrieved from www.rcgp.org.uk/gp-training-and-exams/∼/media/Files/GP-training-and-exams/Curriculum-2012/RCGP-Curriculum-3-14-Drug-and-Alcohol-Misuse.ashx.

15.

RCGP. Clinical example 3.15: Care of people with ENT, oral and facial problems. Retrieved from www.rcgp.org.uk/gp-training-and-exams/∼/media/Files/GP-training-and-exams/Curriculum-2012/RCGP-Curriculum-3-15-ENT-Oral-and-Facial-Problems.ashx.

16.

RCGP. Clinical example 3.18: Care of people with neurological problems. Retrieved from www.rcgp.org.uk/gp-training-and-exams/∼/media/Files/GP-training-and-exams/Curriculum-2012/RCGP-Curriculum-3-18-Neurological-Problems.ashx.

17.

Ringdahl

Pereira

Delzell

(2004) Treatment of primary insomnia. The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice 17: 212–219. Retrieved from www.jabfm.org/content/17/3/212.full.pdf+html.

18.

Soldatos

(2002) Diagnosis and treatment of insomnia at the start of 21st century. Primary Care Companion Clinical Psychiatry 4: 3–7.

19.

Stanley

(2005) The physiology of sleep and impact of ageing. European Urology Supplements 3(6): 17–23. doi: 10.1016/S1569-9056(05)80003-X.

20.

Wilson

Nutt

(2011) Insomnia: guide to diagnosis and recommended management. Prescriber 22: 13–20. doi: 10.1002/psb.756.

The darkest hour: diagnosing and managing insomnia

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References