Sleep Psychology

Many of the problems that affect your ability to sleep well have psychological causes. Experienced sleep specialist Anne Bartolucci, PhD, CBSM, and the team at Atlanta Insomnia and Behavioral Health Services, PC, in Decatur, Georgia, use sleep psychology to help patients manage sleep disorders like insomnia. They offer cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and other nonpharmaceutical interventions to improve sleep with long-lasting results. Call Atlanta Insomnia and Behavioral Health Services, PC, to learn more about the benefits of sleep psychology or inquire online today.

What is sleep psychology?

Sleep psychology is a medical specialty concerned with sleep disorder evaluation and treatment. It analyzes the behavioral, psychological, and physical issues underlying normal and disordered sleep.

Sleep psychology experts focus on developing, testing, and applying evidence‐based treatments to help patients with sleep disorders.

What problems can sleep psychology help with?

Sleep psychology plays an important role in treating various sleep disorders across all ages and populations. You could benefit from sleep psychology if you have any of the following:

• Insomnia (lack of sleep)
• Hypersomnia (excessive sleep)
• Narcolepsy
• Sleep‐related breathing disorders like sleep apnea
• Sleep cycle disorders
• Parasomnias (including nightmares, night terrors, bedwetting, and sleepwalking)
• Restless legs syndrome
• Sleep medication dependence
• Sleep problems related to medical and psychological disorders

Sleep psychologists can also help if you have problems with medical needs like positive airway pressure therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.

What is psychophysiological insomnia?

Psychophysiological insomnia can develop if the association between going to bed and sleeping breaks down. This can cause anxiety and frustration at bedtime or when considering going to bed because your distress about not sleeping reduces your ability to sleep.

Some people experience physical tension in their bed or bedroom. They feel themselves falling asleep while watching TV on the couch, but when they get into bed, they’re wide awake.

Patients with sleep disorders also suffer from issues like daytime fatigue, sleepiness, irritability, and reduced function that further impact well-being.

What treatments does sleep psychology use?

One of the primary sleep psychology treatments is cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). CBT-I has two main components: behavioral strategies and cognitive restructuring:

Behavioral strategies

Behavioral strategies include having a regular bedtime, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other stimulants, and not using your bed for activities like watching TV.

You can start behavioral strategies immediately to re-associate bed with sleep. Even if you’ve already tried other sleep hygiene techniques, it’s important to know that CBT-I goes beyond standard treatments and offers an individually tailored approach.

Cognitive restructuring

During CBT-I, the Atlanta Insomnia and Behavioral Health Services, PC, team looks at the various thoughts you have about sleep that make it harder. You’ll also learn about common sleep myths.

Call Atlanta Insomnia and Behavioral Health Services, PC, to learn more about benefiting from sleep psychology, or use the online booking form to schedule a consultation today.