[Insomnia in the general practitioner's office: from diagnosis to initial interventions]

Insomnia is the most frequent type of sleeping disorder and - following pain - the second most common symptom reported in the general practitioner's office. The prevalence of insomnia increases with age. Untreated, insomnia is regarded as risk factor for other comorbid somatic and mental disorders. Therefore, it is important to make a thorough diagnostic and differential diagnostic assessment. Particularly interventions aiming at improving sleep hygiene and therapy using sleep restriction can help alleviate insomnia. Pharmacologically, herbal drugs and antidepressants with sleep inducing effects can be used, for short-term treatment also benzodiazepine/gaba-ergic agonists.