Dr. Frank Cahill, clinical psychologist and insomnia specialist, is joined by FX Medicine ambassador and psychologist, Dr. Adrian Lopresti, to delve into understanding and treatment of insomnia. Nearly half of all Australian adults report some form of sleep issue with a rise observed through increased patient visits at Dr. Cahill’s practice during the pandemic.
Dr. Cahill’s extended experience in treating insomnia comes to life in this podcast as he explains the concept of homeostatic sleep drive or sleep pressure and explains how identifying sleep habits and manipulating them, can help to realign sleep patterns from insomnia to a healthy, restful sleep. Dr. Cahill and Dr. Lopresti identify common factors that cause both acute and chronic insomnia, and step through aspects of treatment required for various categories of insomniacs. An on-the-spot assessment is done on Dr. Lopresti’s sleep patterns as Dr. Frank Cahill explains the sleep drive requirements and effects this may have on his sleep. Understand how cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) tools of sleep hygiene, relaxation therapy, stimulus control, restriction therapy can be useful for various situations and tools such as sleep diaries, distractions and medication may be useful.
Don’t miss the discussion on testing melatonin and administering as a treatment. You will understand its usefulness for circadian rhythm disorders and Dr. Cahill shares his specific timing and dosing for effective treatment.
COVERED IN THIS EPISODE
[00:43] Welcoming Dr. Frank Cahill
[01:34] The prevalence of insomnia in Australia
[03:37] Stress as a major contributor
[05:23] Long-term vs acute insomnia
[10:28] Three types of insomnia
[12:18] The different effects of anxiety versus frustration have on sleep
[14:48] Treating early morning waking
[18:23] Calming the busy mind
[20:12] Sleep hygiene is not effective for insomnia
[21:43] Sleep restriction therapy and increasing sleep drive
[25:48] Reduce sleep effort buy focusing on rest
[28:18] Utilising sleep diaries and the DAAS questionnaire
[33:08] Is there value in functional testing for melatonin and cortisol?
[37:51] Recommendations around food, caffeine and sleep
[40:22] Exercise and sleep
[41:07] Can natural health practitioners treat sleep
[43:19] Melatonin: less is more
[45:20] Herbal remedies and supplements
[47:04] Thanking Frank and final remarks
Find today's transcript and show notes here: [ Ссылка ]
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