Difficulty falling asleep, nocturnal awakenings, persistent fatigue. In France, 20 to 30% of the population suffers from chronic insomnia and 10% severe insomnia (insomnia more than three times a week for more than three months), according to the Morphée network, dedicated to the management of sleep disorders.
Tired of sleeping badly, most of the 6 million French people who say they have insomniacs have already consulted their general practitioner for this reason. Problem, hypnotics have very little effect on patients’ sleep.
Faced with the relative ineffectiveness and the risk of side effects (impaired vigilance, memory problems, dependence), the Haute Autorité de Santé recommends that general practitioners recommend behavioral and cognitive therapy (CBT) to their patients. This brief therapy would be much more useful to regain sleep.
Several scientific studies have demonstrated the benefits of this method for treating chronic or even severe insomnia. CBTs make it possible to regain good sleep habits and greatly reduce the time to fall asleep and nocturnal awakenings.
Three months to learn to sleep again
Michel Billiard, sleep specialist and Gérard Apfeldorfer, psychotherapist are among the fervent defenders of CBT as a tool for sleeping well. The two experts worked on the first online insomnia treatment program inspired by Brief Therapy. Online coaching site, Therasomnia relies on understanding each person’s sleep disorders to gradually relearn how to sleep well.
The course, recommended for three months, is divided into seven stages. After a phase of observation of sleep intended to analyze his behavior, the emphasis is on learning new habits (lifestyle, bedtime ritual) and the positive reconditioning of his sleep. Relaxation techniques and specific emotional management punctuate this coaching. In order to follow the evolution of their nights, the “coached” person keeps a sleep diary throughout the duration of the program, like a logbook.
At the same time, psychologists trained in CBT provide patient support.
Count 25 € per month for the classic subscription over 3 months (personalized program + a psychologist by email + chat with the experts). More info on https://www.therasomnia.com/
>> To read also: Insomnia: 3 things not to do at 3 am
5 reasons that prevent you from falling asleep
4 exercises to find restful sleep