Abstract

Stress is the one of the well known major causes of sleep disturbance, especially insomnia. Various type of life events, sleep environment and cognitive expectancies could be sleep disturbing stressors. Increased release of catecholamines from the autonomic nervous system and cortisol from the adrenal cortex by stress enhance arousal and result in sleep fragmentation. Hypnotics for treatment of transient insomnia caused by stress should be used for a short period. Stimulus control, sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, and relaxation therapies are important for treatment of psychophysiologic insomnia. Coping skill and stress management techniques are also important in treatment of stress-related sleep disturbances.

• Keywords: Stress, Sleep