Sleep is one of the simplest and most complicated symptoms of any mental health diagnosis.

It is simple because it is nearly universally accepted that adequate sleep will help patients improve and remain in good health. Complicated because there is still a tremendous amount of uncertainty about the role of sleep in brain health, and how to adequately treat chronic sleep problems safely. Making it even more complicated, sleep issues can exist on their own or as a secondary symptom to a broader issue.

There are some medications that are helpful, but often even those that are safe for long-term use or FDA approved are not as effective as your body gets used to them. Therapy (specifically cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia) and lifestyle changes are the most effective long term solutions for sleep problems.

If I were do to do one more fellowship, it would be sleep medicine. I’m fascinated by it but I recognize that there are people who know a lot more than I do who may be able to help you faster. If this is the case, I will try to coordinate care to the best of my ability to get you what you need to get better.