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Author: Ron Cridland, MD
An Adjustment Sleep Disorder can occur in response to a stressful event or situation. For example, the loss of a job, an argument, or financial problems may lead to stressful thoughts and worry when you are lying in bed trying to sleep. This is a very common sleep disorder. For many people, resolution of the problem results in good sleep again. However, some events like the death of a loved one or a divorce have no resolution. How you cope with the loss will often determine how long it will take to resolve your insomnia.
Generally, Adjustment Sleep Disorder is self-limiting as you adjust to the circumstances and changes related to the stressful event. It often requires no treatment other than the non-pharmacological recommendations found in our section on Sleep Hygiene. In particular, the use of a relaxation technique can help distract you from negative thoughts while you are waiting to fall asleep. Sometimes, short-term use of sleeping medication like Zopiclone or Zolpidem is required to enable you to sleep well enough so you can function during the day and deal with your crisis. The use of stress management strategies can be very helpful in these circumstances as well. There is sometimes a place for psychotherapy for stress management, grief counselling or treatment of anxiety or depression. In more severe or prolonged situations there may be a place for anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication.
