Cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnotic relaxation to treat sleep problems in an adolescent

Inadequate sleep among adolescents frequently contributes to obesity and reduced academic performance, along with symptoms of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and attention deficits. The etiological bases of sleep quality has been associated with both stress and sleep habits. These problems tend to be especially important for adolescents with diabetes as the effects of poor sleep complicate health outcomes. This case example concerns a 14-year-old adolescent girl with a history of type I diabetes and stress-related sleep difficulties. Treatment included cognitive-behavioral methods and hypnotic relaxation therapy. Results of this case example and other controlled research suggest that hypnotic relaxation therapy is well accepted, results in good compliance, and serves as a useful adjunctive to cognitive-behavioral intervention for sleep problems.

J Clin Psychol. 2010 Nov;66(11):1205-15. Perfect MM, Elkins GR. Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies, University of Arizona, 1430 E. 2nd St., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. mperfect@email.arizona.edu