Overcoming Insomnia And Sleep Problems

by Colin A. Espie

Poor sleep is one of the most common health problems and can leave you feeling exhausted, stressed and run-down.

This useful self-help book is written by one of the world's leading insomnia experts and uses CBT strategies to help you overcome sleep problems - including persistent insomnia.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology

235 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overcoming Insomnia is a CBT based approach to help you correct your sleeping habits and become a better sleeper. The book includes 3 parts; the first part giving a very thorough introduction to sleep, sleep patterns, and a look at poor sleep and insomnia. Part 2 is the CBT program; it is sectioned up into 6 smaller chapters and you work through them each week, with a specific focus. And finally part 3 is a shorter section, with advice on sleep medications as well as other sleep disorders.

I thought this book was pretty good. It was very well thought out and I enjoyed working through each weeks tips. There are many exercises to complete so be warned that it does involve keeping a notebook and a sleep diary in order to see your progress.

In part 3 I actually learnt about other sleep disorders that actually look like insomnia but may actually not be. There could be many reasons for sleep disruption and this book is really good at explaining the differences between them.

I would recommend this for anyone who is at the last straw or just starting to realise there is something going on with their sleep pattern. For me I tried sleep medication but as my body got used to the dosage it stopped working. I've learnt that I have to face this if I want to become a better sleeper. I'm not there yet but I will within time and persistence. Hopefully this book can aid you in overcoming your sleep problems too.

[Nick Chantarasak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t really rate this other than a must for anyone who struggles with sleeping. The techniques and recommended practices are very straightforward and presented well.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straightforward self-help CBT guide to improving sleep. Sensible advice, worth trying! 🤞

[Yasemin Ilkay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muhteşem bir kitap olduğunu düşünmedim ancak benim açımdan amacına hizmet etti. Uyku günlüğü tutmak ve 15 dakikadan fazla uyanık kaldığımda başka bir odaya geçmek bende olumlu bir etki yaratmadı ne yazık ki ancak sonlara doğru öne sürdüğü ��günü bir kenara koymak” metaforu çok hoşuma gitti. Onu rutinime yerleştireceğim. Çok düşünmekten ve uykumu kafaya takmaktan uyuyamayan kaygılı bir tip olarak farkındalığımı da artıran bir kitap oldu. Kelimesi kelimesine okumanıza gerek yok, eğer uyku problemi yaşıyorsanız belli düzeylerde ihtiyacınız olanı alabilirsiniz 😉

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still in the middle of the sleep rescheduling, not going to bed till 2.30 am in order to try to boost sleep efficiency. Fingers crossed it pays off.

[Siti Khadijah Ishak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is good and it has a lot of tips on how to overcome insomnia etc but it's not for me, I guess? I get triggered a lot of times while reading this.

[Guadalupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a reference to this book in a bibliography in a NHS leaflet on insomnia and sleep problems, and decided to give it a go, since my GP wouldn't put me on sleeping pills (and frankly they hadn't quite helped me in the past). This book contains a Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy programme that lasts several weeks. It has a bunch of information about sleep and sleep problems, clearly backed by research but also quite accessible and easy to follow.

Some people find it a bit discouraging because they already know a lot of the stuff that the book offers, including some of the advice it offers. But I think it does a great job in putting all that knowledge together in a programme that's practical and can actually help. It did not solve all my sleep problems, but I wasn't very good at sticking to everything and following it to a t either.

However, and in spite of my inconsistency, it helped me a ton, and about a year after I can say I'm sleeping a hell of a lot better than I was back. I don't think I've had a horrible night when I couldn't sleep until like past 8am as I did before I started this book. Things are much, much better. Give it a go, and you're likely to find some good stuff that'll help.

[Hillingdon Libraries]

Find this book at Hillingdon Libraries