The relationship between psychiatric diseases and insomnia

Sleep difficulties affect about one-third of American adults, yet these symptoms are not often addressed by patients and their physicians. Unresolved insomnia that impairs daytime function may be associated with significant psychiatric morbidity, predominantly major depression. Clinicians who are aware that these disorders frequently co-exist will be able to facilitate prompt diagnosis and initiate appropriate pharmacotherapeutic intervention. Antidepressant therapies may interfere with sleep quality; therefore, the management of insomnia in depressed patients should be addressed separately. Traditionally, benzodiazepines have been prescribed to treat sleep disturbances, but certain drugs in this class have limited benefits due to residual sedative effects that impair cognitive function, memory and general daytime performance. Zaleplon, a new, quick-acting, non-benzodiazepine sleep medication, may be clinically advantageous in promoting sleep without residual impairment.