Although sleep problems differ at each stage of life, the same principles underlying sleep apply across the lifespan. Our links with the latest research developments in the treatment of sleep problems allows us to apply effective treatments to all people.

 

Adults (18+ years)

Insomnia is both a problem with sleeping (ie, trouble falling and/or staying asleep) and feeling bad during the day. Many adults will experience insomnia at some stage of their life, and 1 in 10 will experience chronic insomnia (ie, insomnia for longer than 6 months). Although insomnia is commonly known to be treated with medications, these can have side effects for some people, and studies show that in the long term, medications do not perform as well as psychological treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). We offer CBT for all types of insomnia.

Besides insomnia, adults can also experience circadian rhythm disorders. These include the delayed type (a lot like adolescent sleep) and  the advanced type (ie, falling asleep early, waking too early). We offer CBT for both of these, and bright light therapy is an integral part of this treatment.

Other types of sleep disorders

Apart from the sleep problems listed above, adults can also experience other forms of sleep disorders that can be treated with medical interventions. These disorders include sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, and restless legs. We recommend contacting the Repatriation General Hospital, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Burnside Hospital, or War Memorial Hospital.