Medication and behavioral/psychological treatments for insomnia

Insomnia is an experience of inadequate or poor quality sleep characterized by one or more of the following complaints:

  • Difficulty getting to sleep
  • Difficulty staying asleep
  • Waking up too early in the morning or
  • Having sleep that is non-restorative

Persistent Insomnia will causes functional impairment while awake. Therefore, an insomnia disorder is defined as a syndrome consisting of insomnia complaints associated with significant impairment or distress.

According to the National Institutes of Health, insomnia affects more than 70 million Americans. Most people will experience a bout of insomnia at some point in their lives. For most of us, this resolves itself in a reasonable amount of time. However, many people have insomnia that persists for months and years. Approximately 10% of the adult population has this form of chronic insomnia.

Insomnia is a very complex disorder which is difficult to treat because it can be the primary problem or it can be a symptom of another disorder including several sleep, medical and psychiatric disorders.

Physicians at the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center are conducting research studies involving both medication and behavioral/psychological treatments for insomnia. Currently we have studies which are looking at "Primary Insomnia" as well as Insomnia occurring concurrently with depression. Following the links listed under "how to participate in a study" will lead you to current studies along with a research coordinator who can be contacted to obtain more information.

Dr. Manber is conducting a study on treating insomnia in people who also have depression. Visit the Triad website to learn more about the project.

If you want to be a volunteer in a study for insomnia and depression please contact Rocio Mendoza or call 650-723-4417.

To learn more about our Insomnia Program click here.

Principal Investigator

CONTACT INFORMATION

Primary Contact:
Rocio Mendoza
(650) 723-4417