Description

Hey everyone, welcome back to MasterUSMLE! Today, we’re talking aboutchronic insomnia—ahigh-yield Step 2 CK topic and a common real-world problem.

If a patient complains oftrouble falling asleep, waking up frequently, or feeling unrefreshed, thefirst-line treatment isn’t medication—it’s cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)​first-aid-for-the-usmle….

So what’s theCBT-I game plan?

1. Start with a sleep diary—track sleep times, wake-ups, and patterns.
2. Set a consistent sleep schedule—no more sleeping in on weekends.
3. Use the bed only for sleep and sex—no TV, no phone, no doomscrolling.
4. If you’re awake for more than 20 minutes—get out of bed! Do something relaxing, then try again.
5. Cut down on naps and caffeine—especially in the afternoon.

Why not just prescribe meds?Because sleeping pills (like zolpidem or benzodiazepines) only offer short-term relief and come with risks—dependence, rebound insomnia, and cognitive impairment​first-aid-for-the-usmle….

The key takeaway? CBT-I is the gold standard. If your patient has insomnia,start with behavioral strategies before reaching for medications.

That’s it for today—keep it simple, stay sharp, and I’ll catch you next time on MasterUSMLE!