The Prevalence, Morbidities, and Treatments of Insomnia

Insomnia is a common condition that often is co-morbid with other illnesses. It is associated with significant morbidities, including nighttime distress, impaired cognitive functioning, impaired daytime functioning, and increased risk of accidents. People with insomnia utilize healthcare services more often than those without insomnia, and they are at greater risk for the development of certain health problems; most notably psychiatric illness such as depression. It is now known that the significant impact of insomnia warrants diagnosis and treatment. Behavioral and psychopharmacological treatments have been available for some time. However, formerly common classes of therapeutics such as the barbiturates and benzodiazepines have been replaced by new allosteric modulators of the GABAA receptor and other therapeutics with novel mechanisms of action. This article presents existing approaches to insomnia treatment, and reviews new treatments, therapeutic targets, and treatment approaches to insomnia under development that may offer promise to practitioners and patients.