Use of Insomnia Treatments and Discussions About Sleep with Health Professionals Among Australian Adults with Mental Health Conditions

Daniel I Russell; Amy C Reynolds; Sarah L Appleton; Robert J Adams; Helen Correia; Jenny A Bowman; Tiffany K Gill; Alexandra P Metse

doi:10.2147/NSS.S412468

Use of Insomnia Treatments and Discussions About Sleep with Health Professionals Among Australian Adults with Mental Health Conditions

Nat Sci Sleep. 2023 Aug 7:15:623-637. doi: 10.2147/NSS.S412468. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Daniel I Russell¹, Amy C Reynolds², Sarah L Appleton^{2

3}, Robert J Adams^{2

3}, Helen Correia⁴, Jenny A Bowman^{5

6}, Tiffany K Gill⁷, Alexandra P Metse^{5

6

8}

Affiliations

¹ College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education (SHEE), Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
² Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (Sleep Health), College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
³ The Freemasons Centre for Male Health & Wellbeing, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.
⁴ Psychological Sciences, Australian College of Applied Professions Perth, Northbridge, Western Australia, 6003, Australia.
⁵ School of Psychological Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, 2308, Australia.
⁶ Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia.
⁷ Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.
⁸ School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia.

Abstract

Background: Insomnia is a common issue among individuals with mental health conditions, yet the frequency of insomnia treatment remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of probable insomnia, discussions regarding sleep with health professionals, and the utilisation of commonly delivered insomnia treatments in Australian adults diagnosed with mental health conditions.

Methods: This study represents a secondary analysis of data collected through a cross-sectional, national online survey conducted in 2019. A subset included participants (n = 624, age 18-85y) who self-reported a diagnosis of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Participants were classed as having probable insomnia based on self-reported symptoms and a minimum availability of 7.5 hours in bed.

Results: Among individuals with probable insomnia (n = 296, 47.4%), 64.5% (n = 191) reported discussing sleep with one or more health professionals, predominantly with general practitioners (n = 160, 83.8%). However, 35.4% (n = 105) of people with probable insomnia had not discussed their sleep with a health professional. Additionally, 35.1% (n = 104) used prescribed medication for sleep, while only 15.9% (n = 47) had used the first line recommended treatment of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in the last 12 months.

Conclusion: Although most participants who met the criteria for probable insomnia had engaged in discussions about sleep with health professionals, utilisation of first line recommended treatment was low. Interventions that promote routine assessment of sleep and first line treatment for insomnia by health professionals would likely benefit people with mental health conditions.

Keywords: assessment; care; help seeking; insomnia; mental health; sleep; treatment.

Grants and funding

The insomnia survey was funded by the not-for-profit Australian Sleep Health Foundation, using an unrestricted grant from Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD Australia) Pty Limited. MSD Australia played no role in the study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, the writing of the report, or the decision to submit the article for publication.