Treatments for Insomnia: Rewiring Your Brain

Now healthy living in our series on the hidden epidemic so many Americans who have trouble trying to get to sleep and it is a problem especially for women. A stunning statistic. Up to six in ten women... See More

Now healthy living in our series on the hidden epidemic so many Americans who have trouble trying to get to sleep and it is a problem especially for women. A stunning statistic. Up to six in ten women regularly suffer insomnia. Tonight some treatments. Better than pills here's ABC's Claire Shipman. Constance -- -- millions of women at a crossroads every night. -- -- -- -- Sleeping pills or may have a -- -- really don't -- take -- -- -- continue to find some rest. You know every two sleeve -- wind -- -- last it's silly. Probably about a month ago a month ago with the help of that's here. Monique McLaughlin -- is rolling the dice one more time spending an uncomfortable night at the U -- sleep -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Almost 30% of American women taking sleeping pills at least a few nights a week. But it turns out there is another way cognitive sleep therapy changing your brain and behavior. New research shows in the long run it's more affected than those pills -- stop the medication. You don't maintain this political game that game is over. Three things you can start tonight first -- -- anxiety right down those worries for tomorrow so they won't keep you awake tonight. Sector restrict your sleep -- improves the quality and you've heard it before -- use the bedroom for sleep only no TV and phone and flawlessly. Doctors say techniques like -- and working with the sleep therapist's hand that you rest. We'll ask Debbie Hamilton and in the first two weeks my life changed. It was brilliant and -- in Australia one pioneering treatment is being studied extreme sleep deprivation. It's counter intuitive but for 24 hours -- in a windowless room. Doctors Wally sleep for more than five minutes at a time exhausting you. To remind your brain that sleep -- your friend the results astounding. Sleeplessness decreased by 50%. It's a very different treatment I called it similar to -- -- But it's an awesome idea experimental for now but a possible glimmer of hope for millions still longing for sleep to become more than a dream. Claire Shipman ABC news Philadelphia.