"Clinicians need to ask their patients about their sleep habits and be able to recognize the signs and symptoms when they are present," Adams said.

A step-wise approach is suggested starting with discussing sleep patterns with the patient, diagnosing the reason, educating the person on good sleep practices, using non pharmacologic therapies, and finally going on to using medications if indicated.

Some interventions to attempt early in treatment include sleep hygiene measures, stimulation control therapy, restricting time spent in bed, and relaxation therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help those who are kept awake by the fear of not falling asleep or other cognitive distortions such as unrealistic expectations, exaggerations of the consequences of insomnia and causal links that are not real.

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