Insomnia ‘is a misunderstood and underserved health concern’

Patients and the healthcare sector are failing to dedicate an appropriate level of attention to the importance of studying and treating insomnia.

This is the view of Professor Kevin Morgan, director of Loughborough University’s Clinical Sleep Research Unit, who has stated that popular attitudes to the condition are defined by “prevalent misconceptions”.

He suggested that the condition is rarely diagnosed and is often dismissed as a psychological issue, while patients are demonstrating a lack of understanding of the need for and importance of proper sleep.

This comes after Datamonitor recently published research showing that more than 3.25 million UK residents currently suffer from the condition, yet the problem is not being addressed by doctors.

Professor Morgan agreed with this conclusion, but added that the healthcare system is gradually coming to terms with the importance of treating the condition.

He said: “We run trials looking at cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia and self-help for insomnia, and by and large these messages are getting through.”