| Abstract: |
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) tailored to be flexibly, yet rigorously, delivered in a manner that respects caregivers unique scheduling needs, accommodates their care responsibilities, and addresses their caregiving-related maladaptive thoughts about sleep can help alleviate caregivers sleep disturbance. As an established first-line treatment for insomnia, CBT-I provides the optimal basis for such a tailored intervention to address the unique experience of insomnia among cancer caregivers. Caregivers are experts in their own family structures and needs, yet gentle questioning of rules governing their roles can illuminate opportunities for changes that may improve their quality of life (QOL). Moreover, as caregivers will be asked to modify, reduce, or eliminate compensatory strategies such as napping, identifying other pleasant and refreshing activities to replace these behaviors will be useful. Implementing regular relaxation exercises may be particularly beneficial for caregivers, given their frequently high levels of stress. This chapter demonstrates the use of these techniques with the case example of a single 56-year-old woman who lived with her 82-year-old mother, for whom she was providing care following a diagnosis of metastatic colon cancer approximately 4 months prior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved) |
