Waking Up to Insomnia: What’s New in the World of Hypnotic Medications-View Presentation

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Video Summary

Dr. Vishal Madan introduces a comprehensive virtual program by the American Psychiatric Association focusing on clinical updates and treatment of sleep disorders across various age groups. The event features seven experts, including the first speaker, Dr. Karl Dagramji, who discusses insomnia. Insomnia affects about 30% of the population annually, with 10% experiencing significant daytime impairments. The DSM-5 classifies insomnia as a disorder if it includes dissatisfaction with sleep quality, distress, and impairment over three months. Dr. Dagramji outlines that insomnia contributes to conditions like depression and hypertension, often creating a bidirectional relationship. Despite the serious impact, many clinicians don't assess insomnia effectively. Insomnia treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy. CBT encompasses stimulus control, relaxation therapy, and sleep hygiene education, but the accessibility of trained therapists is limited. Pharmacological treatments include dietary supplements, over-the-counter aids like diphenhydramine, low-dose antidepressants, and prescription medications categorized as benzodiazepines, melatonin agonists, and orexin receptor antagonists. Each treatment is individualized based on the patient’s needs, including age, comorbidities, and specific insomnia type. The lecture underscores personalized and combined treatment approaches for better management of insomnia.

Keywords

virtual program

American Psychiatric Association

sleep disorders

insomnia

cognitive behavioral therapy

pharmacotherapy

personalized treatment

DSM-5

Dr. Karl Dagramji