[Where do we place insomnia within the framework of psychiatric nosography]

According to sleep specialists, 30 to 80% of insomnia cases have a psychiatric cause. The author distinguishes between acute insomnia induced by acute psychiatric disorders and chronic insomnia associated with more or less permanent personality disturbances. This article reviews neurotic, depressive and maniac insomnia, insomnia of the alcoholic and of the toxicomaniac, insomnia during schizophrenia and chronic delusion. Insomnia may be the first symptom reported by the patient, hiding a subjacent psychiatric disorder. At the contrary, a short and insufficient sleep can only be discovered through a thorough investigation of the patient and questioning of his familiars.