Sleep disorders among psychiatric outpatients.

Mental health clinics, particularly the ones serving middle-aged and elderly patients, are usually confronted with serious problems of insomnia, which could trigger or aggravate physical or emotional ailments. It could also lead to drug dependence or contribute to polypharmacy. In this study, we have attempted to make a profile of the insomniacs of a VA Mental Hygiene Clinic and to correlate several variables found in common among the patients. Our work indicated that certain drugs such as benzodiazepines were more effective than others. It also indicated that certain types of insomnia, such as that with frequent awakenings, were more amenable to treatment.