A sleep clinic within a general hospital psychiatry service

A sleep clinic was founded within a general hospital psychiatry service. A practical approach toward sleep problems included: flexible diagnostic investigations; descriptive, imprecise diagnostic categories; and symptomatic treatment measures. A summary of 100 consecutive patients with chronic insomnia is presented to illustrate this approach. Of 36 treatment failures, most were due to incomplete treatment rather than irremediable problems. The general psychiatry service may provide a favorable base for a sleep clinic.