Statistics show than in Britain one in 10 can’t sleep at night. New online treatments for insomnia could be the cure that is only a click away? Of course there are those who are critical of this new treatment such as Jim Horne who claims that: “The more personal the approach between the person who is the sufferer and the therapist, the better.”

There is help available from the NHS for insomniacs, unfortunately places are often very limited and the waiting lists are long. This new cure is free and are currently being offered on a commercial basis from the United States. Those who are critical of this new theory claim that it sounds rather like a spam email “End sleepless nights once and for all – at home.” However over the past few years, researchers have been developing internet-based courses designed to do exactly that.

Those who support the theory claim that it can be as effective as face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy. Everyone knows the folk remedies for sleeplessness

  • Drink warm milk,
  • Take a hot bath,
  • Sip herbal tea,
  • Count sheep.

More often than not these don’t work, therefore your only option is to hope sleep will come, or to get one of the places on the waiting list for cognitive behavioural therapist, whilst putting up with the wakeful nights and groggy days while you wait.

With insomnia being one of the most common mental health problem with less than 50% of sufferers mentioning it to their GP. It is thought that many people feel that it is too trivial to mention to their GP or they believe they can manage on their own.

The online treatments may have the potential to ease this pressure due to the shortage of therapists trained to deal with insomnia, although the NHS is trying to help the situation by traning more therapists. bringing insomnia treatment to the internet.

If you are having trouble sleeping here are a few top tips from the experts:

  • Stay positive – if you worry about not sleeping, you won’t sleep
  • Good sleepers try to stay awake – don’t dwell on falling asleep
  • One bad night isn’t the end of good sleeping patterns – there’s always tomorrow

Here are a few things not to do:

  • Don’t nap – the bed shouldn’t be for anything but sleep and sex
  • Don’t stay in bed longer than 20 minutes. If you’re not asleep, get up and do something else until you feel tired

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