According to the American Sleep Association, 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder, with insomnia being the most common, affecting approximately 30% of adults at some point in their lives and 10% experiencing chronic insomnia. Sleep is foundational to mental and physical health, yet sleep disorders affect a significant portion of the population and are among the most under-treated conditions in psychiatry. Chronic sleep problems do not just leave you tired. They impair cognition, destabilize mood, weaken the immune system, and significantly worsen virtually every psychiatric condition, from depression and anxiety to ADHD and bipolar disorder.
At PsychBright Health, our board-certified psychiatrists specialize in sleep disorder diagnosis and treatment. We evaluate sleep problems in the context of your full mental and physical health picture, addressing root causes, not just symptoms. Whether you are in Los Angeles or anywhere else in California, we are here to help you sleep better and live better.
Sleep disorders are conditions that impair the quality, timing, or duration of sleep in ways that cause distress or impair daytime functioning. They are not simply a matter of bad habits, many sleep disorders have identifiable biological, psychological, or environmental causes that respond well to targeted treatment.
Sleep disorders are extremely common in people with psychiatric conditions, and addressing sleep is often a critical component of treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder effectively.
Our psychiatrists are experienced in evaluating and treating a wide range of sleep disorders, including:
Insomnia Disorder
The most common sleep disorder, characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early, at least three nights per week for at least three months, despite adequate opportunity for sleep. Chronic insomnia significantly impairs daytime functioning and is closely linked to depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions.
Insomnia Related to Psychiatric Conditions
Sleep disturbances are a core feature of depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. In many cases, treating the underlying psychiatric condition improves sleep, but targeted sleep treatment is often also needed.
Hypersomnolence and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Persistent excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate nighttime sleep can be a symptom of an underlying sleep disorder, psychiatric condition, or medication effect that warrants evaluation.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders
Disruptions to the body’s internal clock, such as delayed sleep phase disorder or shift work disorder, that cause chronic misalignment between sleep timing and daily demands.
Nightmare Disorder
Recurrent distressing nightmares that cause significant distress or impair sleep quality. Nightmare disorder is particularly common in patients with PTSD. Learn more about our PTSD Treatment.
Sleep-Related Issues from Medications or Substances
Many psychiatric medications, substances, and their withdrawal effects significantly impact sleep. Our psychiatrists carefully evaluate medication profiles and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
You may be dealing with a sleep disorder if you regularly experience:
Sleep disorders are diagnosed through a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that reviews sleep patterns, symptom history, daytime functioning, psychiatric history, medications, and lifestyle factors. A psychiatrist evaluates not just the sleep complaint itself but the broader mental health context, since sleep disorders and psychiatric conditions are deeply intertwined.
Diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Sleep Disorders guide the diagnostic process. In some cases, referral for a sleep study may be recommended to assess for conditions such as sleep apnea or periodic limb movement disorder.
Identifying and addressing co-occurring psychiatric conditions is an essential part of comprehensive sleep disorder treatment.
Sleep disorders rarely have a single cause. They typically result from a combination of factors:
Sleep problems are often dismissed as minor inconveniences, but chronic sleep disorders have serious consequences for mental and physical health. You should consider speaking with a psychiatrist if:
If any of these resonate with you, a psychiatric evaluation is a strong next step.
At PsychBright Health, we treat sleep disorders in the context of the whole person. Sleep does not exist in isolation from mental health, and effective sleep treatment requires understanding and addressing the full psychiatric picture. Our psychiatrists build individualized treatment plans that target the root causes of sleep disruption, not just the symptom of poor sleep.
Every patient begins with a thorough psychiatric evaluation reviewing sleep patterns, psychiatric history, medications, substance use, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. This comprehensive assessment ensures that treatment addresses the underlying drivers of sleep disruption rather than masking symptoms.
CBT-I is the gold-standard first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, more effective than sleep medications for long-term outcomes and without the risks of dependence or side effects. CBT-I addresses the thoughts, behaviors, and physiological patterns that perpetuate insomnia, including sleep restriction therapy, stimulus control, cognitive restructuring of sleep-related beliefs, and relaxation techniques. We coordinate with therapists trained in CBT-I as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
When appropriate, medication can support sleep improvement, particularly in the short term or when insomnia is severe. Our psychiatrists carefully prescribe and monitor sleep-related medications, including:
We approach sleep medication conservatively and prioritize non-pharmacological strategies wherever possible. Learn more about our Psychiatric Medication Management.
Treating the underlying psychiatric condition driving sleep disruption is often the most important intervention. Our psychiatrists provide integrated treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and ADHD, all of which are closely linked to sleep disorders. Treating the underlying psychiatric condition driving sleep disruption is often the most important intervention.
We provide individualized guidance on consistent sleep schedules, optimizing the sleep environment, managing caffeine and alcohol, evening wind-down routines, and exercise timing, all of which meaningfully impact sleep quality.
Sleep improvement is a process that often requires adjustment over time. We provide regular follow-up appointments, in-person or via Telepsychiatry to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.
We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video appointments for patients throughout California. Telepsychiatry is a convenient option for sleep disorder treatment, many patients find it easier to attend appointments from home, particularly when fatigue is a significant issue.
PsychBright Health brings together board-certified psychiatrists who evaluate sleep in the context of your full mental health picture, same-week availability for most patients within 5 business days, and telepsychiatry available to any California resident. We accept Aetna, Blue Shield, UHC, Cigna, Anthem, Medicare, and Medicare Advantage, including Medicare Advantage plans that many psychiatric practices do not accept. Our approach to sleep medication is conservative; we prioritize CBT-I and non-habit-forming solutions over sedative-hypnotics wherever possible, and we address co-occurring psychiatric conditions as part of every sleep treatment plan. Bilingual care in Spanish is also available.
Restoring healthy sleep has a ripple effect across every area of life. Patients who successfully treat their sleep disorders report significant improvements in mood, energy, cognitive performance, and emotional resilience. Relationships improve when chronic irritability from sleep deprivation fades. Work performance improves when concentration and memory are no longer impaired. And the relief of consistently waking feeling rested — after months or years of poor sleep — can feel genuinely transformative.
Good sleep is not a luxury. It is the foundation everything else is built on, and it is treatable.
Insomnia is a type of sleep disorder, the most common one. It refers specifically to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early. Other sleep disorders include circadian rhythm disorders, nightmare disorder, and sleep disruption related to psychiatric or medical conditions. A psychiatric evaluation can clarify which type of sleep problem you are experiencing and what treatment approach is appropriate.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia is a structured, evidence-based therapy that addresses the thoughts, behaviors, and physiological patterns that perpetuate chronic insomnia. Multiple clinical trials have shown CBT-I produces better long-term outcomes than sleep medication, without the risks of dependence or side effects. It is the first-line recommended treatment for chronic insomnia and is what we prioritize at PsychBright Health.
Yes. Some psychiatric medications can disrupt sleep, either causing insomnia or excessive sedation. We carefully review medication profiles as part of every sleep evaluation and adjust treatment plans accordingly. If a current medication is contributing to your sleep problem, we will identify it and address it as part of your overall treatment plan.
Traditional sleep medications such as benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are generally not recommended for long-term use due to dependence and tolerance risks. There are newer, non-habit-forming options better suited for ongoing use, including orexin receptor antagonists such as suvorexant and melatonin agonists such as ramelteon. We approach sleep medication conservatively and work toward non-pharmacological solutions wherever possible.
Your first appointment is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, typically 45 to 60 minutes. Your psychiatrist will review your sleep patterns, symptom history, psychiatric and medical history, current medications, substance use, and lifestyle factors. Medication is not automatically prescribed at the first visit. Some patients leave with a prescription if it is clearly indicated; others begin with CBT-I coordination or sleep hygiene guidance first. Bring a list of any current medications and note how long the sleep problem has been present.
CBT-I typically produces meaningful improvement within four to eight weeks of consistent implementation. Sleep medications can produce faster initial relief, often within days, but long-term outcomes are better with behavioral approaches. When sleep disruption is driven by an underlying psychiatric condition such as depression or anxiety, sleep often improves significantly as the underlying condition responds to treatment, typically within two to six weeks depending on the treatment.
Sleep medication tolerance and dependence are real concerns, particularly with benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. If you have been relying on sleep medications and want to discontinue, we provide structured tapering protocols designed to minimize withdrawal effects and address the underlying sleep problem with behavioral strategies. You do not have to stop abruptly. We manage the transition carefully.
Yes. All psychiatric care at PsychBright Health is protected under HIPAA. Your employer cannot access your psychiatric records without your written consent. Your family members cannot access them either unless you authorize it. The only circumstances under which information may be shared without consent involve a serious, imminent risk of harm to yourself or others. Your privacy is protected by federal law.
Yes. We offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video appointments for patients across California for sleep disorder evaluation, medication management, and follow-up appointments. Many patients find telehealth particularly convenient for sleep-related care, especially when fatigue makes commuting difficult.
Yes. PsychBright Health accepts Aetna, Blue Shield, UHC, Cigna, Anthem, Medicare, and Medicare Advantage. Call (213) 584-2331 to confirm your coverage before your first appointment.
Most patients are seen within 5 business days. Request an appointment online or call (213) 584-2331 and our team will follow up within one business day.
You do not have to keep surviving on poor sleep. Our experienced psychiatric team is ready to help you identify the root causes of your sleep problems and build a treatment plan that works.
Schedule an appointment with a board-certified psychiatrist at PsychBright Health today. Telepsychiatry appointments are available across California.
Request an appointment online or call (213) 584-2331.
1180 S Beverly Dr #700, Los Angeles, CA 90035 · Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Quality sleep is essential for mental health. Let us help you achieve the restorative rest you need.
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