Latest replay: Insomnia: Beyond sleep hygiene with Dr Adrian Lopresti & Dr Frank Cahill

Dr Frank Cahill, clinical psychologist and insomnia specialist, is joined by fx Medicine by BioCeuticals Ambassador Dr Adrian Lopresti, to delve into understanding and treatment of insomnia. Nearly half of all Australian adults report some form of sleep issue with a rise observed through increased patient visits at Dr Cahill’s practice during the pandemic.  

Dr Cahill’s extended experience in treating insomnia comes to life in this podcast as he explains the concept of homeostatic sleep drive or sleep pressure and explains how identifying sleep habits and manipulating them, can help to realign sleep patterns from insomnia to a healthy, restful sleep. Dr Cahill and Dr Lopresti identify common factors that cause both acute and chronic insomnia, and step through aspects of treatment required for various categories of insomniacs. An on-the-spot assessment is done on Dr Lopresti’s sleep patterns as Dr Frank Cahill explains the sleep drive requirements and effects this may have on his sleep. Understand how cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) tools of sleep hygiene, relaxation therapy, stimulus control, restriction therapy can be useful for various situations and tools such as sleep diaries, distractions and medication may be useful.  

Don’t miss the discussion on testing melatonin and administering as a treatment. You will understand its usefulness for circadian rhythm disorders and Dr Cahill shares his specific timing and dosing for effective treatment.