Prevention of mental disorders through cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

The relationship between insomnia and other mental disorders is still not fully understood. Yet, symptoms of insomnia are frequently observed in patients with other mental disorders and often precede the onset of other conditions. In some cases, symptoms of insomnia persist even after the successful treatment of other mental disorders. This observation has led to the assumption that the successful treatment of insomnia may prevent the future onset of other mental disorders. Since then, a considerable number of studies have lent further credibility to that hypothesis. This article reviews recent studies that shed further light on this issue with regard to depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and alcohol dependence. While no studies have investigated whether cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can prevent the future onset of mental disorders, there is evidence of a positive effect of CBT-I on a number of disorders. There is strong evidence of a positive effect of CBT-I on depression and anxiety disorders suggesting apreventive effect of CBT-I on these. Conversely, the current evidence does not suggest that CBT-I might prevent the onset of PTSD. Finally, research regarding the impact of CBT-I on schizophrenia and alcohol dependence is still at an early stage, and firm conclusions cannot yet be drawn.