[Sleep deprivation in inpatient treatment of depression. A report of experiences].

Abstract

Sleep deprivation or "stay awake"-therapy), given in addition to drug therapy, is seen as an effective anti-depressive treatment with actually no side effects. Nevertheless, it is not regularly and systematically used. A reason for this might be doubts about its feasibility in psychiatric hospitals without specialised depression wards. Only a few reports exist on the practical aspects of sleep deprivation. The present article informs about the "stay awake"-therapy on 101 depressive patients (in the mean 25 patient-nights per month), carried out at the Psychiatric Hospital Sanatorium Kilchberg/Zurich. The patients (age between 19 and 76, mean 47 years) participated on average in 4.4 partial sleep deprivations. 72% participated at least for a set of three nights. One staff person takes care of a group of at most five patients. Indication, organisation, night programme, care and possible strains are reported. A stay awake night (three times a week) consists of breakfast, games, conversations, taking two walks, and discussions about depression and about treatment (psychoeducation), with the aim to avoid naps and to provide a pleasant social event. The experiences made with serial partial sleep deprivation are encouraging.

• Authors: N Erazo, H Beeler, W Greil
• Journal: Psychiatrische Praxis (Psychiatr Prax) Vol. 25 Issue 6 Pg. 269-73 (Nov 1998) ISSN: 0303-4259 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Wachtherapie in der stationären Depressionsbehandlung. Ein Erfahrungsbericht.
• PMID: 9885837 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Depressive Disorder (psychology, therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
• Patient Admission
• Sleep Deprivation
• Switzerland