There’s a nice review in this week’s BMJ for primary care professionals who haven’t had much time this week to think about the mental health awareness week topic – sleep.

The authors provide a short summary of the key points:

• Insomnia affects a third of people and is a common cause of consultation in primary care
• History is the main diagnostic tool
• There are many causes of secondary insomnia, which should be ruled out and treated first
• Excessive daytime sleepiness should raise questions about obstructive sleep apnoea
• Primary insomnia is diagnosed after excluding other causes of insomnia. It can be treated effectively by sleep hygiene techniques, by restricting time in bed, or with behavioural interventions
• Sedatives should be used as a last resort when other approaches have failed because of risks of tolerance and adverse effects

The assessment and management of insomnia in primary care. BMJ 2011, 342. [Abstract]