Psychoeducation in sleep medicine

Insomnia is a frequent complaint that involves one-third of the adult population and is associated with a reduction in the quality of life, increased risk of medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and abuse of hypnotic medications. Psychological and behavioral therapies are increasingly used in the last decades as they have been recognized to be valid and effective options in the treatment of chronic primary and secondary insomnia, with many advantages over pharmacological interventions, including fewer side effects and better maintenance of clinical progress over time. Several non-pharmacological strategies, comprising the most widely known educational, behavioral and cognitive interventions, are described in terms of their effectiveness and recommendations. These therapies are suitable for adults of all ages and should be considered as first line intervention in the treatment of chronic insomnia.