The Cost of Insomnia and the Benefit of Increased Access to Evidence-Based Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

Abstract

Insomnia is a highly prevalent, often chronic condition, which is left untreated or not treated according to recommended guidelines in most cases. This results in high health and financial burdens to society. The cost of untreated insomnia and the prevailing reliance on sedative-hypnotic use as a first-line treatment are evaluated in this article. The cost-benefit potential of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is also assessed.

Keywords: CBT-I; Cost; Insomnia; Patient access; Pharmacology; Prevalence.