Diagnostics and therapy of sleep disorders in the general practice

: Sleep disorders could be the symptoms of organic or non-organic conditions. The diagnostics comprises a detailed medical history of the patient complemented by a sleep diary, as well as organic medical and psychological/psychiatric examinations. For drug therapy benzodiazepine, antidepressants, neuroleptics, antihistamines, plant-based preparations and natural sleep-inducing substances such as L-tryptophan or melatonin are used. Nondrug strategies include sleep hygiene, stimulus control, sleep restriction and cognitive techniques. For sleep disturbances due to a psychological or organic disease, the primary condition must be treated.