What is often the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is recognized as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia because it addresses the underlying thoughts and behaviors that contribute to sleep difficulties. CBT is a structured program that typically includes components such as sleep education, sleep hygiene techniques, cognitive restructuring, and stimulus control strategies. This therapeutic approach helps individuals understand their sleep patterns and develop healthier sleep habits, making it more effective for long-term management of insomnia.

Unlike CBT, prescription sleeping pills may provide short-term relief but do not teach coping strategies or address the factors that trigger insomnia. Additionally, there are risks associated with the long-term use of sleeping medications, including dependence and tolerance.

Light therapy is generally used for conditions like seasonal affective disorder or circadian rhythm sleep disorders rather than chronic insomnia itself. It involves exposure to artificial light for specific durations and times but does not directly change the cognitive and behavioral aspects that are often at play in chronic insomnia.

One-time sleep studies, such as polysomnography, are diagnostic tools rather than treatments. While they can identify sleep disorders, they do not address the insomnia directly.

By focusing on changing the thoughts and behaviors surrounding sleep, CBT promotes sustainable improvements in sleep quality, making it the preferred initial treatment for chronic insomnia.