This course provides a structured and practical approach to understanding insomnia and its management in clinical practice. It explores the physiology of sleep, the classification and causes of insomnia, and the wide-ranging impact of poor sleep on physical and mental health. Participants learn how to assess sleep disorders comprehensively and apply a combination of cognitive, behavioural and pharmacological strategies to improve patient outcomes.
The course emphasises evidence-based management, with cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) as the foundation of treatment. It also highlights the importance of lifestyle modification, sleep hygiene and careful use of medications. Through case-based learning, participants gain practical insight into managing insomnia across different patient populations.
Unit 1 – What is Normal Sleep
This unit introduces the fundamentals of sleep, including sleep duration, quality and timing across different age groups. Participants explore circadian rhythms and the role of hormones such as melatonin in regulating sleep. The unit also highlights the physiological benefits of healthy sleep, including cardiovascular, metabolic and cognitive function, and examines the negative health consequences associated with poor sleep.
Unit 2 – Types of Sleep Patterns
This unit explores the different stages of sleep, including rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. Participants learn how these stages contribute to memory, recovery, immune function and emotional regulation. The unit also examines how disrupted sleep patterns can impact mental health, including associations with mood disorders, anxiety and other psychological conditions.
Unit 3 – Understanding Insomnia
This unit focuses on the definition, classification and clinical features of insomnia. Participants learn how to differentiate between acute and chronic insomnia and identify key symptoms such as difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep or early awakening. The unit also explores the consequences of untreated insomnia, including impaired cognitive function, mood disorders, reduced quality of life and increased risk of chronic disease. Assessment strategies are covered in detail, including patient history, risk factors and identification of underlying medical or psychological conditions.
Unit 4 – Cognitive Approaches to Insomnia
This unit introduces cognitive strategies used in the management of insomnia, focusing on identifying and modifying unhelpful thoughts and beliefs about sleep. Participants learn how to assess contributing factors such as medications, lifestyle habits and psychological conditions. The unit also introduces tools such as sleep diaries, screening questionnaires and structured assessments to support clinical decision-making. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) is presented as a first-line treatment approach, combining cognitive restructuring with behavioural interventions to achieve long-term improvements in sleep.
Unit 5 – Behavioural Approaches to Insomnia
This unit explores behavioural techniques that support improved sleep patterns and reinforce healthy sleep habits. Participants learn about stimulus control, sleep restriction therapy and relaxation techniques, as well as the importance of sleep hygiene. Practical strategies include establishing consistent sleep schedules, limiting time in bed, reducing daytime naps and creating an optimal sleep environment. These interventions are presented as highly effective, non-pharmacological approaches to managing insomnia.
Unit 6 – Pharmacological Approaches to Insomnia
This unit examines the role of medications in the management of insomnia, including when and how they should be used. Participants explore different classes of pharmacological treatments such as benzodiazepines, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, melatonin and other agents. The unit highlights the benefits and limitations of these treatments, including risks of dependence, side effects and reduced effectiveness with long-term use. Emphasis is placed on using medications cautiously, at the lowest effective dose and for short durations, alongside non-pharmacological strategies.
Unit 7 – Case Discussions and Clinical Application
This unit brings together the knowledge from the course through practical case discussions. Participants explore real-world scenarios involving patients with insomnia, including those with comorbid conditions, lifestyle factors and complex presentations. The unit demonstrates how to apply cognitive, behavioural and pharmacological approaches in clinical practice and highlights the importance of individualised treatment plans.
