Abstract
BackgroundSleep disturbances are prevalent in people with psychosis and are related to several negative outcomes. Recent research indicates that sleep disturbances contribute to the development of psychosis and is therefore an important treatment target. Despite this, a study found that sleep problems in people with psychosis were mostly assessed informally and treated with non-recommended interventions. However, it is uncertain whether these findings reflect local practise or rather status quo for how sleep disturbances in the context of psychosis are approached across different treatment sites. We aimed to replicate this study and investigate how sleep disturbances in people with psychosis are viewed, assessed and treated by clinicians across several mental health services, and the clinicians' perceived barriers to sleep treatment. MethodsA total of 204 clinicians completed an e-mail survey about sleep problems and psychosis. ResultsThe main findings were highly consistent with previous research; the clinicians found sleep problems in patients with psychosis to be highly prevalent and with negative consequences. However, structured assessments and the use of recommended treatment interventions were rare. This apparent paradox may at least partly be explained by the clinicians' perceived barriers to sleep treatment, including their declared lack of knowledge about sleep assessment and sleep treatment, and beliefs that sleep treatment is (too) demanding in this population. ConclusionMany patients with psychosis across several treatment sites receive less than optimal sleep treatment. Increasing clinicians' knowledge about adequate sleep treatment and its feasibility for patients with psychotic disorders is therefore imperative.
Highlights
Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia have been associated with sleep disturbances since first described by Kraepelin [1] and Bleuler [2]
The main results are consistent with the findings of Rehman and colleagues [18] in the UK, indicating that this is not a local phenomenon but that in general, many patients with psychotic disorders receive less than optimal interventions for their sleep problems
Variations in perceived prevalence rates may reflect that the clinicians worked with patients in different phases of psychotic disorders, as sleep disturbances seem to be related to symptom severity
Summary
Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia have been associated with sleep disturbances since first described by Kraepelin [1] and Bleuler [2]. The above-mentioned findings from Rehman and colleagues [18] provide important knowledge for implementing and improving sleep treatment in the two health trusts included in the study It is unknown whether the findings reflect local views and practise, or whether they represent clinical practise in other treatment sites and countries, with differently organized mental health services, training of clinicians, and treatment traditions. We aimed to investigate how sleep disturbances in patients with psychotic disorders are viewed, assessed, and treated by clinicians in mental health services across eight health trusts in Norway, and the clinicians' views on potential barriers to delivering sleep treatment. We aimed to replicate this study and investigate how sleep disturbances in people with psychosis are viewed, assessed and treated by clinicians across several mental health services, and the clinicians' perceived barriers to sleep treatment. Increasing clinicians' knowledge about adequate sleep treatment and its feasibility for patients with psychotic disorders is imperative
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
