What is the purpose of cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)?

• A. To address and modify thoughts and behaviors that contribute to sleep issues.
• B. To prescribe sleep medications.
• C. To measure physical activity only.
• D. To document bedtime routines without strategies.

Answer: (A)

CBT-I focuses on changing the thoughts and behaviors that keep someone awake. It targets how beliefs about sleep (like “I must get eight hours or I’ll fail”) and daily habits around bedtime contribute to ongoing insomnia, and it uses practical strategies to break that cycle. By combining cognitive work—replacing unhelpful worries and catastrophic thinking about sleep—with behavioral techniques, CBT-I helps reset sleep patterns. Key components include sleep restriction (limiting time in bed to match actual sleep, then gradually increasing), stimulus control (associating the bed with sleep only), cognitive restructuring (reframing harmful beliefs about sleep), relaxation practices, and keeping a sleep diary to monitor progress and tailor adjustments. This nonpharmacological, evidence-based approach is designed to produce lasting improvements, unlike options that rely on medications, measure only activity, or document routines without applying strategies.