Intermittent insomnia, if treated at all, usually responds to short acting sleeping pill treatment. Chronic insomnia treatment involves first diagnosing and treating any underlying psychological disturbances. The identification and cessation of any behaviors that may worsen the condition will also be explored. Sleeping pills may be used, although these are controversial as far as treatment for chronic insomnia is concerned. Behavioral techniques such as relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy and reconditioning may also be options for the treatment of chronic insomnia.

Behavioral Techniques: Unlike many medications, behavioral techniques do not carry with them the risk of side effects. They involve the following:

Practice good sleep hygiene; analyze your life-style habits and replace those habits that make it difficult to get to sleep with those that will promote sleep, such as not drinking caffeine or alcohol prior to bed-time.

Keep a sleep diary ( in which you record what time you went to bed, how long you slept, how rested you feel, how many times you woke up, what you did before bedtime, what you ate and drank, etc) and use it to track your progress.

Practice relaxation techniques before retiring. reading a book, taking a bath, playing solitaire or working a crossword puzzle are good ways to slow down from activity of the day.

(Fogel J (2003). Behavioral treatments for insomnia in primary care settings. Topics in Advanced Practice Nursing e Journal).

Hypnotic Treatment: Hypnotherapy involves firstly relaxing physically. You then learn to relax mentally. Self hypnosis techniques can make this very easy. Hypnosis can help you take control of your thoughts and train your mind to relax at will. It can also teach you new and natural ways to fall asleep. Hypnosis can also help to uncover any hidden fears or anxieties that may be at the root of your insomnia. Listening to a sleep tape containing hypnotic suggestions as you lie in bed is a hypnotic method that has proven successful for many insomniacs.