CBT-I: An Effective Treatment for Both Insomnia and Depression

It is encouraging to know that recent research has indicated that successful treatment of insomnia in a person who suffers from depression often eliminates their depression.

In a recent New York Times editorial, the editors reported on the results of a recent study of depressed patients with insomnia.  The study participants were divided into two groups: those who received antidepressant medication alone and those who received both antidepressant medication along with a brief (four session) course of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (also known as CBTI or CBT-I).

Over 85% of the patients whose insomnia was significantly improved also experienced dramatic improvement in their depression at twice the rate of those patients whose insomnia remained unimproved.  What this means is that CBT-I can not only effectively treat insomnia in individuals with sleep problems, but can also be an effective treatment for depression and, perhaps, even to prevent the development of depression.

At the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center of Southern California, we offer CBT-I to the public. For more information on how CBT and CBT-I in particular may be helpful for you, please Contact Us.

Author Dr. Rodney Boone is the Founder and Director of CBT SoCal, has taught as a former member of the faculty in UCLA’s Department of Psychiatry, and practices in Glendale and Torrance, CA.