Background
Working with Sleep Disorders as a special interest requires a multi-disciplinary approach if we are to provide a high level of service. I work in conjunction with a large range of medical and holistic medicine practitioners. I provide home-based sleep studies for screening purposes and refer to colleagues who provide full in hospital sleep studies when necessary.
Definition
According to the American Behavioural Society for sleep Medicine, “Behavioural Sleep Medicine is an expanding area of sleep psychology that focuses on the evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders by addressing behavioural, psychological, and physiological factors that interfere with sleep.
Behavioural Sleep Medicine practitioners preferably work without medication, however this is not always possible and interventions in conjunction with medication is not uncommon. There is always a team approach when medication is prescribed.
Treating Insomnia
The field of behavioural sleep medicine applies therapies that are grounded in solid science. Behavioural Sleep Medicine interventions are based on cognitive-behavioural therapies. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) has consistently proved to be the best treatment protocol for treating insomnia when there are not many other complicating factors.
The behavioural aspect of CBT-I focuses on eliminating dysfunctional habits, behaviours and environmental disruptions that stand in the way of quality rest. CBT-I is a brief intervention, involving an initial assessment and a limited number of treatment visits thereafter.
The focus of treatment is to systematically introduce behavioural change that promotes sleep quality and quantity, and enhances daytime function. This may include changes to your sleep schedule or habits, rituals and behaviours that promote sleep. The cognitive approach focuses on scrutinising thoughts and beliefs that can interfere with sleep.
For example, instead of sleep being instinctual like breathing or your heart beat, sleep becomes something you are noticing, trying to force, and what eventually becomes entrenched is a learnt behaviour, intensely focusing on mechanically managing sleep.
Other Sleep disorders
Behavioural treatments can also be used for other sleep disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and Circadian Rhythms Disorders e.g. shift work, jet lag or phase advance/delay syndrome. In conjunction with behavioural treatments, device-based treatments may be suggested, such as bright light treatment for circadian rhythm disturbances and Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) machines to assist breathing during sleep for OSA.
Behavioural sleep practitioners play a role in helping people understand their sleep condition, and assist them to adapt and comply with their treatment plan, thus avoiding the impact of the risk factors linked with sleep disorders.
I run a 5-week programme for individuals for CBT-I and I am preparing to start groups in order to offer a more cost effective and interactive programme.
I also work with other sleep disorders in a case specific manner.
My Behavioural Sleep Solutions Vision
Behavioural Sleep Solutions aims to educate and train South Africans about every aspect of sleep from its normal functioning to abnormalities that may be as a result of change. These changes may be in the brain, or adjustments to life processes such as the birth of a baby or death of a loved one, a trauma experience (sometimes multiple), or lifestyle behavioural choices in relation to shift work, time-urgent work and many others.
I hope to make CBT and related treatments for insomnia a priority treatment before considering medication. Managing complex cases which include other sleep disorders, trauma, medical, neurological and psychiatric disorders, require a high level of knowledge in the field. I am blessed to have been mentored, supervised and trained by people, in South Africa and America, who are passionate about the importance of diagnosing and treating sleep disorders appropriately. We continue to work together collaboratively.
A comprehensive care programme providing treatment for private clients as well as training, education and supervision for institutions, schools, businesses and health care practitioners is my vision. To book for any of these services please call or write to me.
