Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) in Patients With Mental Illness

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) in Patients With Mental Illness

Insomnia is common in patients with co-morbid mental illness and sleeping difficulties is a frequent complaint in most psychological disorders. Mental illness may cause sleep problems, however, sleep problems like insomnia, may also cause or exacerbate mental illness. Insomnia may aggravate symptoms of depression, anxiety and fatigue, and reduce daily functioning in patients with co-morbid insomnia and mental illness. This project aims to evaluate a course offered to patients with insomnia and mental illness at Diakonhjemmet Hospital. The course is based on cognitive behavioral therapy, a documented treatment for insomnia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women over 18 years with insomnia and co-morbid mental illness.
• Is a patient and receiving treatment for mental illness at Department of Psychiatry, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, at time of referral to the course

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to provide informed consent
• Unable to read and/or understand Norwegian
• Unable to complete a survey
• Severe mental disorder, e.g. schizophrenia and bipolar disorder type I
• Mental retardation or dementia
• Known substance abuse
• Other sleep disorder, e.g. narcolepsy and hypersomnia