A review of current indications of sleep therapy

Author(s): Chopin, C.

Journal/Book: Sem Hop Paris. 1996; 72: 31 Blvd Latour Maubourg, 75007 Paris, France. Expansion Sci Francaise. 166-170.

Abstract: Sleep therapy is a group of techniques involving decreased vigilance and pharmacologic induction of continuous or intermittent sleep. The initially enthusiastic reaction to sleep therapy, in particular during the 1950s, has been tempered over the years; the introduction of specific pharmacologic treatments for the main psychiatric diseases (especially neuroleptic and antidepressant agents) has considerably reduced the indications of sleep therapy. Changes in the ideas and theories that have provided the rationale for the use of sleep therapy are discussed and the history of psychiatric treatments over the last 40 years is examined to look for the reasons of the declining use of sleep therapy.

Note: Review R Ropert, Ctr Hosp St Anne, Serv Sm 24, 1 Rue Cabanis, F-75014 Paris, France

Keyword(s): sleep therapy; mental disorders; history of medicine, 20th century

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