Sleep-related maladaptive cognitions

Sleep-related maladaptive cognitions refer to dysfunctional thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and expectations about sleep—such as exaggerated worries about the consequences of poor sleep, unrealistic expectations for sleep quantity, or misattributions regarding sleep difficulties—that contribute to the development and maintenance of sleep disorders like insomnia[1][3][5][6][7]. These cognitions perpetuate sleep difficulties by increasing emotional distress, arousal, and compensatory behaviors, and are a principal focus of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)[1][4][7]. Evidence shows these maladaptive cognitions are associated with insomnia severity and are prevalent across disorders that include both insomnia and comorbid depression or anxiety[5][6]. They are measured with scales such as the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep (DBAS)[3][6]. Interventions target these cognitions in order to improve sleep outcomes, but "sleep-related maladaptive cognitions" is not a discrete biological or pharmacological target. Key Notes: - This is *not* a receptor, enzyme, protein, or any canonical molecular pharmacological target, so fields related to drugs, mechanisms, and molecular classifications are not applicable. - "Sleep-related maladaptive cognitions" is a psychological target of therapy (usually behavioral and cognitive), rather than a classical molecular target for pharmacological intervention[2][7]. - This entry should be considered *incorrect* for any list restricted to molecular, genetic, or pharmacologic therapeutic targets.

Other names

Dysfunctional sleep-related cognitionsMaladaptive sleep beliefsSleep-disruptive cognitionsDysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep