Insomnia: prevalence, consequences and effective treatment

Insomnia is common and can have serious consequences, such as increased risk of depression and hypertension. Acute and chronic insomnia require different management approaches. Chronic insomnia is unlikely to spontaneously remit, and over time will be characterised by cycles of relapse and remission or persistent symptoms. Chronic insomnia is best managed using non-drug strategies such as cognitive behaviour therapy. For patients with ongoing symptoms, there may be a role for adjunctive use of medications such as hypnotics.