Insomnia

The Clinic

Psychiatrists & Psychologists located in San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA, Palo Alto, CA, Berkeley, CA, & Marin County, CA

Whether you have difficulty falling asleep, getting back to sleep after waking or staying asleep until your alarm in the morning, you are not alone. Poor sleep is an epidemic, affecting one out of three American adults. But there are treatments that work! At The Clinic, with locations in San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Jose, Berkeley, and Marin County, California, California, our experts provide effective, sleep treatments that do not require the use of medications. The Clinic will also soon service patients out of its new Berkeley and Marin locations.

Insomnia Q & A

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling or staying asleep, or an inability to get restful restorative sleep even when given ample opportunity to do so. Insomnia can be a serious and complex disorder, misunderstood by many patients and healthcare professionals alike. Insomnia can be acute (lasting several days) or chronic (lasting weeks to decades). It can have devastating effects on your ability to physically, mentally and emotionally cope with everyday stressors. Insomnia can affect anyone (men, women, children, young and older adults) at any stage of life, including: adolescence, early parenting, mid-career, menopause or retirement.

When Should Treatment for Insomnia Be Sought?

Whether you’ve had several nights, weeks, months or years of interrupted or non-restful sleep, sleep focused treatment can be beneficial. If you worry during the day, in the evening, or at night about whether you will be able to sleep, it’s time to seek help.

Why is a Good Night's Sleep So Important?

A lack of adequate sleep can lead to a number of unwanted and unhealthy consequences. These include:

Daytime fatigue/low energy
Difficulty concentrating
Short-term memory problems
Cognitive “slowing”
Depressed or anxious mood
Irritability
Increased risk for medical illness, such as: obesity, cardiovascular disease, and chronic pain.

Can Sleep Medications Help?

Sleep medications can be very beneficial when used short-term, such as while traveling or during periods of acute stress. But medication is not a long-term solution. Sleep medications can increase the risk for dependence and tolerance and may have long-term mental and physical consequences. Fortunately, sleep scientists have developed effective non-pharmacological treatment options. At The Clinic our doctors have successfully helped many patients get a good night’s sleep and enjoy the benefits of waking up feeling refreshed without relying on medication. We have helped hundreds of patients get off their sleep medications and get back to sleeping naturally.

What is Behavioral Sleep Medicine?

Behavioral sleep medicine is a highly specialized treatment approach designed to address insomnia and other common sleep disorders. The Clinic is one of only a few healthcare organizations statewide that provides behavioral sleep medicine treatment. Behavioral sleep specialists utilize cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) and a number of other evidence-based techniques proven to help you: