Treating Insomnia in Patients with Cancer
People with insomnia may have a hard time falling asleep, staying asleep, or may wake up too early. They may also experience the effects of poor sleep during the day, such as:
- Feeling tired
- Having low energy
- Trouble with attention, concentration, and memory
- Low or sad mood
- Increased anxiety
- Irritability
- Difficulty at work or school
Who gets insomnia?
- 30 – 60% of individuals with cancer experience insomnia
- Insomnia can persist for a year or more post-treatment
- Cancer treatments and side effects can cause or worsen sleep problems
- Worrying near bedtime, especially about cancer and other stressors, can make it difficult to fall or stay asleep
Treatment: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute’s licensed psychologists offer cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) to help patients get better quality sleep. CBTI has been extensively tested and is the first-line treatment for insomnia, typically recommended over medication. CBTI is a short-term therapy for insomnia based on scientific knowledge about sleep.
Research has shown CBTI to be as effective as sleep medications for insomnia in the short-term and usually more effective than sleep medications in the long-term.
The cognitive part of CBTI focuses on your thoughts, feelings, and expectations about sleep and insomnia which may affect how well you sleep.
The behavioral part of CBTI helps you develop healthy sleep habits, based on the science of sleep, which will help you get quality sleep.
Schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with a psychologist by calling 816-932-4576 option 1.