what is the first line treatment for chronic insomnia

Sleep plays a very important role in keeping the body and mind healthy by allowing us to recharge and maintain balance. So here we are talking about chronic insomnia, which means it’s a condition where a person cannot sleep at night and wakes up early. This can happen for a week for a month, or more.

Because sleep is an important factor for the body and mind, as it relaxes and makes a person feel calm, and they can perform their daily life routines easily. That’s why it is essential to treat chronic insomnia. If your sleep cycle is not in proper order, it can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, and even physical health issues like high blood pressure and a weakened immune system

The treatment that is most often preferred is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

What is CBT-I, and why is it preferred?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a type of therapy that focuses on the real reasons behind sleep problems instead of just using medicine. It helps people change their thoughts and habits so they can sleep better. In short, it works to improve a person’s sleep cycle naturally.

Here are some key points:

CBT-I helps in making changes in the sleeping pattern and in the behavior of a person.
It is proven that this therapy is more effective than other medications.
Helps in reducing the need to rely on sleeping pills

How CBT-I Works?

CBT-I is a therapy that improves a person’s sleep cycle. It works by finding the real cause of insomnia and helps in retraining both the mind and body, so a person can sleep better mentally and physically. This therapy does not include any kind of medication, but it helps to make changes in a person’s life step by step.

Key Points:

Sleep is the best time when you can relax your body and get some rest. With adequate sleep, your body will work correctly and in an adequate way; your body will take time and will heal itself, but without adequate rest, pain tends to feel worse, and recovery is slower.
You should start doing or rely on physical activities such as yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and doing those things that you like to do, which help in your mental and physical health and ease your discomfort.

Other Approaches That Support Sleep

While CBT-I is the main treatment, other lifestyle and environmental changes also play a role in improving sleep. Creating a healthy bedtime routine and optimizing the sleep environment can make CBT-I more effective.

Key Points:

A person should maintain their sleep cycle in a way where the bedtime and wake up time of a person should be the same daily. There should be consistency.
Try not to take caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
Keep the room dark, quiet, and cool for better sleep.

When Should You Use Medicine?

Sleeping pills are not the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. Your doctors usually prescribe medication for short-term relief when the symptoms are severe. These medicines have side effects and can be harmful, as well as cause addiction. You should not take these medicines; they are not meant to be taken for a long period of time.

Key Points:

These pills should be taken when necessary.
Sleeping pills can be addictive.
It should always be taken when advised by the doctor.

Conclusion –

The first treatment for chronic insomnia, which is suggested by a doctor, is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). This therapy helps to find the root cause of the sleep, not just treat the patients with medicine. It also helps the patient to make changes in their thoughts and behavior. Basically, it improves the sleep cycle of a person.

By combining CBT-I with healthy sleep habits and lifestyle changes, individuals can overcome chronic insomnia and enjoy restful, natural sleep.