A Look at the Types of Therapies Used to Treat Behavioral Sleep Issues
Common among all age groups, behavioral sleep issues are an impediment to the physical and mental health of those who suffer from them. As sleep has become the focus of an increasing number of research studies, several forms of therapy have emerged as successful methods of treating insomnia, sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorder, and other behavioral sleep conditions.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy suggests that outside factors that affect one’s sleep should be identified and changed, with the purpose of creating a lifestyle and environment that are more conducive to sleeping. Most commonly used to treat insomnia, cognitive behavioral therapy combines multiple techniques that together help an individual manage his or her sleeping problems until they become non-issues.
Sleep Hygiene
Many individuals who suffer from sleep disorders have trouble sleeping because of lifestyle habits that affect their sleep. Sleep study specialists can educate these individuals on behaviors that may affect their sleep, recommending changes that ultimately lead to better sleep hygiene and improved sleep.
Light Box Treatment
Melatonin has been given the moniker “the dark hormone” because its release is triggered by ideal lighting conditions for sleep. Individuals who suffer from circadian rhythm disorders can benefit from regular use of bright light therapy, which can help people fall asleep earlier and wake up feeling better rested at the time they need to start their day.
Oral Appliances
Many people with snoring and sleep problems suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea. A combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and the use of a CPAP oral appliance can help people with sleep apnea sleep through the night, enabling them to more easily pass through every phase of the sleep cycle.
Sleeping pills can be ineffective, dangerous, and addicting. While they are sometimes necessary in helping people sleep during periods of heightened stress and grief, it is important for individuals with behavioral sleep issues to seek chemical-free treatments that focus on the underlying issues behind their sleeping problems. For diagnostic lab testing and the development of a treatment plan that is tailored to you, call Comfort Sleep in Monmouth County at (732) 455-3030!
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