Treating co-morbid insomnia and social anxiety disorder with sequential CBT protocols: a single-case experimental
Daniel Wallsten1, Annika Norell-Clarke1,2, Sven Alfonsson3
1Department of Social and Psychological Studies, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden.
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
|July 9, 2021
Summary
Sequential cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) shows potential for treating co-occurring social anxiety disorder and insomnia disorder. While most participants improved, individual results varied, making definitive efficacy conclusions challenging.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Social anxiety disorder and insomnia disorder are highly prevalent psychiatric conditions.
- Co-occurrence of these disorders is common, yet treatment research is limited.
- Depression frequently co-occurs with both social anxiety and insomnia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of sequential evidence-based treatments for co-occurring social anxiety disorder and insomnia disorder.
- To examine the impact of these sequential treatments on depressive symptoms.
- To evaluate treatment outcomes in individuals with comorbid social anxiety and insomnia.
Main Methods:
- A single-case repeated crossover AB design was employed.
- Ten participants (aged 18-59) with comorbid DSM-5 diagnoses of insomnia and social anxiety disorder were included.
- Sequential cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was administered, with 7 participants completing the protocol.
Main Results:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) yielded mixed results for comorbid social anxiety and insomnia.
- Most participants experienced improvements in sleep quality, social anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms.
- Significant inter-individual variability in treatment response was observed across all measured outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Sequential CBT may be a viable treatment option for reducing social anxiety and insomnia symptoms in comorbid cases.
- The observed variability in participant outcomes complicates definitive conclusions regarding treatment efficacy.
- Further research is warranted to understand and optimize treatment response in this population.
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