Dysfunctional sleep-related thoughts

Dysfunctional sleep-related thoughts encompass maladaptive beliefs, attitudes, and appraisals about sleep, such as unrealistic expectations ("I must get 8 hours every night"), catastrophizing potential consequences of poor sleep, and attributing insomnia to unchangeable causes[1][2][3]. These thoughts contribute to heightened cognitive and emotional arousal, maintaining a vicious cycle of anxiety, rumination, and insomnia[1][2]. They are central psychological targets in cognitive therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which seeks to identify, challenge, and restructure them using cognitive techniques[3]. These cognitive processes are not molecules or receptors, but rather psychological constructs assessed with tools like the DBAS scale[3]. Addressing these beliefs is therapeutically important for improving sleep quality and preventing relapse in insomnia[2][3]. They are not a druggable target, but represent a primary focus of psychotherapy.

Other names

Dysfunctional sleep beliefsDysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleepSleep-related dysfunctional beliefsMaladaptive sleep cognitionsFaulty sleep-related beliefs