Insomnia is one of the most common presenting concerns across healthcare settings, often co-occurring with mental and physical health conditions. In this practical and evidence-based webinar, Dr Alison Bentley explores the underlying science of sleep and offers a comprehensive overview of the causes, features, and management strategies for insomnia.
Drawing on clinical experience and current research, Dr Bentley discusses the broad impact of chronic insomnia on health and wellbeing, including links to depression, cardiovascular disease, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. She dispels common myths about sleep, explains the physiological and behavioural mechanisms at play, and highlights the importance of early, targeted intervention.
Treatment approaches covered include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), sleep hygiene practices, and a critical examination of pharmacological interventions such as sleeping tablets.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:
Understand the neurobiological and behavioural mechanisms that govern healthy sleep and how these are disrupted in insomnia.
Identify the common types and presentations of insomnia, including short-term and chronic subtypes.
Explore the psychological and physiological impacts of insomnia, with attention to its links with depression, cardiovascular, and digestive health.
Evaluate current evidence-based treatment options for insomnia, with a focus on CBT-I.
Address patient misconceptions about sleep and improve psychoeducational delivery in clinical practice.