Combating Sleep Disorders. Kathy Sexton-Radek & Gina Graci, Praeger Publishing, 2008, £19.95 hb, 152 pp. ISBN 9780275989736

Sleep disturbance is a common problem in both community samples and in patients presenting to mental health services. The title of this book is perhaps a little misleading in that much of the text is focused on behavioural and psychological approaches to insomnia.

Chronic insomnia may cause impairment of daytime functioning in up to 10% of community samples. The health risks of insomnia include depression with an unresolved debate with regard to the primacy and/or comorbid relationship between sleep disturbance and depression. Cognitive consequences are common in sleep disturbance. Additional comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and gastro-oesophageal reflux are well recognised.

The foreword suggests this book is for ‘someone working with a sleep doctor… anyone wanting to know more about detecting sleep disturbance and ways to treat the disturbance’ (‘mmm…’ I thought, ‘the target audience is not clearly defined but there may be some helpful tips’). The preface clarifies that the target audience are patients with sleep problems (‘mmm… self-help’, I thought to myself).

The first half of the book is really for patients trying to understand sleep disturbance and preparing for a visit to a sleep centre. Health professionals are likely to find this section of the text repetitious and lacking in depth. However, most health professionals will find chapters 5–7 extremely useful in treating patients with chronic insomnia without resorting to pharmacotherapy. There is a good description of sleep hygiene; stimulus control therapy; sleep restriction; and cognitive–behavioural strategies. The evidence for a cognitive-behavioural approach for insomnia is increasingly compelling, making chapters 5–7 a very worthwhile investment for health professionals.

This book can be read in a couple of hours and would be a useful recommendation for patients with psychophysiological, idiopathic, paradoxical insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders. Additionally, chapters 5–7 and the inclusion of sleep scales make the book certainly worth reading for mental health clinicians.