The Causes and Treatment of Complicated Chronic Insomnia

Lee, S H

Abstract

The causes of complicated chronic insomnia are very various and interact with vicious circle. Patient with this insomnia has generally a strong fear and frustration about failing to control of sleep and a deep mistrust toward doctor. To solve this complicated problems detailed history taking and sleep questionnaires are needed with objective polysomnography. Through these procedures, doctor should clarify causes of insomnia and explain them to patient in details and kindly. This process would be very helpful to restore the mistrustful relationship between patient and doctor and reduce patient's vague fear for insomnia. In treatment of complicated chronic insomnia, it is most important for patient to understand his problems and participate in the treatment schedule actively with assurance. Also doctor should encourage patient persistently not to be drop out. Most important factor for prognosis is patient's personality. Causes of complicated chronic insomnia are like these, overdose of hypnotics and sedatives, daily driking alcohol with hypnotics, insomnia associated depression, delayed sleep phase syndrome, sleep state misperception, marked fear for insomnia, hyperarousal at bed, insomnia associated periodic leg movement and sleep apnea, chronic hypnotic insomnia, and immature personality. And possible treatments of these insomnias were discussed.