Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early, at least three nights a week for three months or more, with daytime effects such as fatigue, low mood and poor concentration. Sleep problems are closely tied to anxiety, depression and stress, and they respond well to psychological treatment, most notably CBT for insomnia. The Mind Faculty assesses and treats insomnia and sleep difficulties at our clinic in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, and by video.
Sleep and mental health are deeply tied, poor sleep worsens mood and anxiety, and those in turn wreck sleep. Chasing it harder usually backfires. Evidence-based approaches work with that paradox to rebuild rest, rather than forcing it.
By the numbers
Global sleep-research reviews
Common signs
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Lying awake with a racing mind
- Waking too early
- Daytime fatigue and low focus
- Dread or anxiety about bedtime
- Relying on screens or substances to sleep
Signs vary from person to person, you don't need to recognise all of these, or be sure it's sleep, to reach out.
How we can help
Sleep care at The Mind Faculty
Assessment looks at your sleep pattern, what's happening in your days, and whether anxiety, depression, pain, medication or a sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea might be involved. Where a medical sleep disorder is suspected, we'll say so and point you to the right investigation.
The first-line treatment for insomnia is cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), a structured, practical approach that resets the relationship between you, your bed and the night, without relying on sleeping pills. Where medication is appropriate, a psychiatrist can prescribe and review it carefully, with the aim of using it briefly.
Mindfulness, hypnotherapy and acupuncture are also offered within the faculty for settling an overactive nervous system, and many people combine them with CBT-I.
The faculty
Specialists in Sleep
These members of the faculty work with this regularly. Not sure who fits? Tell us a little about what's going on and we'll help you choose.
Questions people ask
About sleep, answered
What is CBT-I?
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is a short, structured programme, typically four to eight sessions, that addresses the habits, timing and thinking patterns that keep insomnia going. It is recommended as the first treatment for chronic insomnia in international guidelines and its effects last, unlike most sleeping medication.
Should I take sleeping pills?
Sometimes, briefly. Medication can break a bad run of sleepless nights, but it doesn't fix the underlying pattern and can be hard to stop. If it's used, it should be short-term and alongside a plan to rebuild sleep. Your psychiatrist will talk this through honestly.
Is my poor sleep causing my low mood, or the other way round?
Often both, and it doesn't matter much which came first. Treating the sleep usually improves mood and anxiety, and treating mood usually improves sleep. Your clinician will look at both together.
Does acupuncture help with sleep?
Some people find acupuncture helpful for settling the nervous system and improving sleep quality, particularly where stress is a driver. Our acupuncturist works alongside the rest of the faculty, so it can complement rather than replace evidence-based treatment.
If any of this rings true, it's worth a conversation.
Not sure where you fit? That's entirely normal, we'll help you find the right specialist.
Content reviewed by The Mind Faculty clinical team, a faculty of psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Talk to us about your own situation.