Among the common causes of insomnia are poor sleep hygiene, certain drugs, stress and anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and other mental health conditions, physical health conditions including cardiovascular problems, pain, and other sleep conditions.6

If addressing sleep hygiene measures has not helped, NHS Choices suggests patients with insomnia consider contacting their GP, especially if the insomnia is affecting daily life and has been going on for more than four weeks.6

The ESRS guideline advises that clinicians need to consider whether the insomnia or a co-morbidity associated with it needs prioritising. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and other psychotherapeutic approaches are endorsed as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in adults of any age.17

Interventions can include psychoeducation/sleep hygiene, relaxation training, stimulus control therapy, sleep restriction therapy and cognitive therapy. Other approaches can include mindfulness-based treatments, stress reduction techniques, and hypnotherapy. Computerised CBT-I is also improving in effectiveness.