Therapy Toronto Psychotherapy Definitions

Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions characterized by difficulties related to sleeping.

These include difficulty falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times, restlessness, excessive total sleep time, or abnormal behaviors associated with sleep such as nightmares and sleepwalking.

Primary sleep disorders are those not related to any medical or mental disorder. Secondary sleep disorders are understood as symptoms of physical or mental illness, stress, drug or alcohol use, work shifts or travel.

A sleep disorder can also trigger various emotional and psychosocial issues which may then exacerbate the sleep difficulties.

Psychotherapy is an effective treatment option for reducing and or overcoming sleep disorders. The treatment often focuses on the factors that may be related to the sleep disorder, such as physical illness, depression, anxiety, physical discomfort and counter productive sleep habits.

Sleep disorder treatment focuses on specific lifestyle changes and teaches how to develop habits that promote a more restful sleep.

The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) treatment model is often used to help people to change the actions or thoughts that interfere with their ability to sleep well.

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