title: [Treatment of chronic insomnia. A recommendation with special emphasis on problems of the elderly].
abstract: Normal physiological changes in sleep occur with increasing age. Most healthy individuals do not perceive these changes in themselves as a health problem. Despite this, chronic insomnia is a common complaint, especially among the elderly. In addition to considerable subjective distress, the symptom of chronic insomnia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Thus, a diagnostic evaluation is an essential starting point for rational treatment. The author emphasizes the importance of a multidimensional approach to both diagnosis and treatment. Concentrating on symptom relief only is not enough. Documented treatment modalities are reviewed. There is a discrepancy between the current knowledge and the actual management of sleep disorders. It is concluded that several effective interventions are available. The prevailing nihilism when it comes to treating chronic insomnia is not justified.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie Faculté de Médecine Université Laval Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neckelmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry; D006801:Humans; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
vernacular_title: Behandling av kronisk insomni. En anbefaling med saerlig vekt på eldres problemer.