| While restless legs syndrome is considered a | | | | Certain guidelines for sleeping are recommended to |
| neurological disorder, it is also commonly referred to as | | | | the patient such as only using the bed for sleeping and |
| a sleep disorder as it primarily affects the patient's | | | | setting specific times for going to bed each night as |
| ability to receive a proper night's sleep. It is estimated | | | | well as waking up in the morning regardless of the |
| that individuals who suffer from severe symptoms | | | | amount of sleep that was obtained. If the patient is |
| associated with RLS only receive approximately five | | | | unable to fall asleep within fifteen to twenty minutes of |
| hours of sleep per night which is the least amount of | | | | going to bed, they are advised to get up and go into |
| sleep when compared to all other types of sleeping | | | | another room or do some other form of activity that is |
| disorders. | | | | arousing such as reading. Napping should also be |
| Sleep deprivation has been associated with an | | | | avoided as this can significantly interfere with ones |
| individual's inability to relax as well as many underlying | | | | ability to fall asleep at bedtime. |
| mental illnesses including depression and anxiety | | | | Other Methods of CBT for Restless Legs Syndrome |
| disorders, therefore, many patients who suffer from | | | | Cognitive behavioral therapy for sleep disorders also |
| restless leg syndrome receive treatment in the form of | | | | consists of changing negative thinking patterns in |
| behavioral therapy in order to mange or eliminate their | | | | regards to sleeping and replacing them with more |
| symptoms of RLS. | | | | positive thoughts. For instance, the patient is taught to |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Restless Legs | | | | change their negative thoughts such as "I'll never fall |
| Syndrome | | | | sleep" with positive affirmations or images. |
| Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is used to treat | | | | Image therapy may also be beneficial for sleep |
| many types of sleeping disorders including insomnia | | | | disorders and consists of the patient given mental |
| and restless legs syndrome. There are many different | | | | tasks or images that can distract them from focusing |
| approaches that can be used in CBT to treat the | | | | on their inability to fall asleep which has been beneficial |
| symptoms of sleep disorders including stimulus control | | | | in allowing many patients to fall asleep faster. While |
| which has been effective in treating patients with | | | | behavioral therapy is beneficial for many individuals |
| insomnia as well as secondary insomnia such as that | | | | who suffer from restless legs syndrome, this type of |
| caused by the symptoms of RLS. Stimulus control is | | | | treatment is more effective when combined with |
| based upon changing the patient's behavior and thinking | | | | dietary and lifestyle changes as well as other forms of |
| patterns when it comes to going to bed and sleeping. | | | | treatment prescribed by a physician. |