Insomnia: Prevalence, consequences and effective treatment

Abstract

• Insomnia is common and can have serious consequences, such as increased risk of depression and hypertension. • Acute and chronic insomnia require different management approaches. • Chronic insomnia is unlikely to spontaneously remit, and over time will be characterised by cycles of relapse and remission or persistent symptoms. • Chronic insomnia is best managed using non-drug strategies such as cognitive behaviour therapy. • For patients with ongoing symptoms, there may be a role for adjunctive use of medications such as hypnotics.