Insomnia

A series of cases are presented to illustrate that the complaint of ''I can't sleep'' is deceptively simple. Clinicians need to gather information from many aspects of the patient's history and present circumstances. Use of a graphic diary called a sleep log may help to bring order to the jumble of insomniac experiences, allowing general patterns to be discerned. As order is created out of the factors contributing to the insomnia, a treatment plan can be designed that goes beyond mere symptomatic treatment.