Insomnia may require treatment of an underlying sleep disorder such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. The doctor may also recommend an overnight sleep study to evaluate whether sleep apnea is present.

The UW Sleep Disorders Center at Harborview Medical Center provides a full range of insomnia treatments, including a congnitive behavioral insomnia program. At our center, you will receive state-of-the-art treatment from leading specialists in the field of sleep disorders.

In order to help treat your insomnia, the doctor will usually perform a full physical exam as well as review your medical history, paying close attention to your sleeping habits, and ask for a full list of medications and supplements.

In addition, your doctor may want to talk to your partner or other family members to better understand your sleeping patterns – things of which you may not even be aware.

If the insomnia can be treated with behavioral therapy, such as recommending regular exercise, or reducing caffeine, then conservative therapy might be a good option..

The UW Medicine Sleep Disorders Center also offers a structured cognitive behavioral therapy program for appropriate patients who are interested in working more intensively on behavioral therapies for their insomnia.

While sleeping medications can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC), these can cause “rebound insomnia,” or the person may develop a tolerance for the sleeping pill. There are also prescription medications available to help you sleep. Your doctor may or may not recommend long-term use of sleep medications after weighing the risks and benefits to you.

Although melatonin and valerian are natural supplements sometimes taken for insomnia, current studies suggest that they are not always effective. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is funding studies on melatonin and valerian to better understand their safety and determine if they are effective sleep aids. Ask your doctor if you are considering taking complementary or alternative therapies.

The following are some signs of insomnia:

• Falling asleep very late or waking up too early
• Waking up in the middle of the night
• Sleepiness or irritability during the day

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you might be a candidate for treatment. Talk to your doctor, or contact our Sleep Disorders Center.