Please see the consensus paper

British Association for Psychopharmacology consensus statement on evidence-based treatment of insomnia, parasomnias and circadian rhythm disorders.

Wilson SJ, Nutt DJ, Alford C, Argyropoulos SV, Baldwin DS, Bateson AN, Britton TC, Crowe C, Dijk DJ, Espie CA, Gringras P, Hajak G, Idzikowski C, Krystal AD, Nash JR, Selsick H, Sharpley AL, Wade AG.

J Psychopharmacol. 2010 Nov;24(11):1577-601. Epub 2010 Sep 2. Review.

In a nutshell, depending on age and diagnosis the first line treatment is behavioral therapy. If that fails then under 55 zolpidem for a short term or if >55 Circadin where available .

You should also consider Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or an online program that has been well studied in randomized, controlled trials. For full disclosure, I work with one called Restore that was developed by Dr. Norah Vincent.

Thank you for ur reply...some people just want to rush into drug therapy for sleep disorders. As if its psychological for them if they take medicines only, they will be able to sleep..thus i start considering some of the natural products available such as Kalms' sleep which contained a blend of plants and are indicated to promote natural sleep, or antihistamine -hydoxyzine(Atarax) for short term.

It is a mistake to believe that herbals are safer or more efficacious than proper medicines or that they promote natural sleep. Actually, we know very little about the composition of active ingredients in them and have no proof of efficacy or safety or whether they modify sleep structure or not. Just because the plants grow in nature does not mean they promote natural sleep. Some of the most deadly compounds come from plants. So if you are considering a sleep medication better use one that has proven and well controlled properties. Antihistamines are proper drugs for treating allergy and have some safety concerns. They may not be ideal in certain sleep disorders and it is recommended to consult with a doctor who knows your medical conditions and the other drugs you are taking even if these drugs are available over the counter (without prescription).

I agree completely with Nava Zisapel. It's about time that we communicate to our patients that "natural remedies" contain chemichal compounds as everything in our world. And their safety has not been proved.

I completely agree with Nava Zisapel, too!!

for limit time is ok

It is safe on a short-term basis, howver first-line treatment should be cognitive-behavioral interventions for insomnia (CBT-I)!

The wording of the question is problematic in itself. Having stated this, basic principles should here be applied following thorough assessment that has excluded anxiety/features of mood disorder/medication or alcohol withdrawal effects. Observance of good sleep hygiene should precede any other form of management. Functional analysis is invaluable in deciding your next course of action.

I agree with Veemala Coolen. Natural ways and therapy are friendly to human mind and body

Evaluate clinical and anthropometric to recognize: if BMI> 30; neck circumference if> 43 cm, Mallampati score if more than 4, if craniofacial abnormalities.and assessing daytime sleepiness. After considering all these parameters would consider a masked depression.

Toraldo DM,

I think we have to tell the patient:

1. Not to do excercises before going sleeping

2. Eat a slight dinner.

3. Take a warm bath at night.

4. Not to read anything before going sleeping.

5. Not to watch TV before going sleeping.

5. Go to bed only at night.

6. Not to take any pill before ask a physician.

7. Not to take coffee or tea at afternoon

8. Not to take pills that could stimulate the sympathetic system (like for flu)

Based on the question it sounds as if you are asking about sleep disturbance in response to an acute stressor of some sort. In such a case it would be useful to ensure that perpetuating factors are not enlisted e.g. extending sleep opportunity to make up for lost sleep, development of maladaptive cognitions and attitudes about sleep, adverse conditioning etc.. Sleep hygiene as suggested in others responses may be helpful but I would want to address whatever precipitating factors which may persist (also rule out or treat any contributing co-morbidity) and collaborate with the person to develop an individualized sleep treatment program that respects the cognitive and behavioral factors that are included in most CBT for insomnia programs (which I believe is the current evidence based gold standard for treating psychophysiologic insomnia)- if no formal program is available for referral. Charles Morin's Insomnia: Psychological Assessment and Management is a good reference for clinicians. S. Silberman's Insomnia Workbook is a useful self-help resource for patients.

ozone treatment of my choice in this regard. provides both quality of sleep and reduces anxiety. major autohemoterapi applied 2 times a week can be useful for such patients. there can be no side effects.We apply ozone therapy, and very good results

I agree with Alexander N Otakpor. You should evaluate the aetiology of this temporally sleep disorder. Also are you referring to inability to falling asleep or maintaining sleep? For how long has this been going on? How has this impacted daily functioning (excessive sleepiness? Impaired alertness, fatigue, etc) ? Screen for comorbid conditions that potentially may affect sleep (depression, pain, medication use with effect on sleep, other substances, coffee), sleep timing regularity, common sleep disorders (sleep-related breathing disorder, movement disorders, circadian rhythm disturbances, etc.) Only after thorough evaluation treatment can be discussed. Otherwise, you are dealing with insomnia as a symptom, but are not treating the condition that is bringing it about. Hope this helps.