Session #: 718-401
Presenter(s): Rubin Naiman
Session Length: 2 hr. 00 min. Event: 2008 Networker Annual Symposium Date: March 13-16, 2008
Sleep disorders are endemic in the United States—affecting more than half the population. Not only are sleep disturbances implicated in many serious physical health problems, but most people with psychiatric diagnoses suffer from disturbed sleep (virtually all clinically depressed people do), and chronic insomnia is the single strongest predictive factor for future clinical depression. The vast majority of sleep disorders remain untreated. Physicians provide virtually no treatment except potentially harmful medications. Because most sleep disorders arise from psychological, social, and lifestyle factors, psychotherapists are in an ideal position to fill this critical treatment niche. In this workshop, the presenter will describe an integrative, mind-body approach to the definition, screening, evaluation, and treatment of major sleep disorders in adults, including insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy. We'll focus particularly on sleep and dream issues related to depression, as well as to addiction and recovery. Among the treatment strategies covered will be cognitive-behavioral therapy, the therapeutic use of light and darkness, alternative medical substances like melatonin and valerian, sleep-environment management, and the practice of psychospiritual surrender to sleep.
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