Insomnia may be alleviated with behavioral counseling

Thursday, 10 February 2011 16:00

News - Wellness News

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Research that was published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that people who have trouble sleeping may find relief - and some much needed rest - by taking part in just a few behavioral counseling sessions.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers examined 79 adults who were divided into two groups: one received two in-person and two phone counseling sessions with a clinician and the other was given literature on insomnia and sleep habits.

Individuals who participated in counseling sessions were more than 40 percent more likely to have had a favorable response to the treatment or eliminated their insomnia altogether.

Sleep disturbances have been shown to lead to elevated levels of stress during the day. Results of this study suggest that organizations that offer employee wellness programs that address sleep disorders may be helping to reduce workplace stress.

Authors of the study noted that focusing on behavioral aspects of insomnia and sleep patterns may remove some of the stigma behind treatments that have traditionally been thought of as psychological.

The National Sleep Foundation estimates that as many as 47 million Americans are not getting adequate sleep at night. The organization also said that these individuals are more likely to get involved in accidents, experience road rage and engage in arguments with others.