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Article: Consider behavioral strategies first line for pediatric insomnia.(Mental Health)
- Article from:
- Family Practice News
- Article date:
- April 15, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 International Medical News Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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NEW YORK -- Medication should almost never be the first line of treatment for children and adolescents with insomnia, Dr. Judith Owens said at a psychopharmacology update that was sponsored by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists.
Instead, proven behavioral strategies should be used; caffeine alcohol, and nicotine intake controlled; and good sleep hygiene practices such as regular sleep-wake times and limited late-night stimulation should be optimized.
"Combining pharmacologic treatment with behavioral therapy really is the key here," said Dr. Owens in the pediatrics department at Brown University and director of the Pediatric Sleep ...