Sleep problems lasting more than three months are considered chronic. They can affect daily life and lead to reduced performance, poor concentration and irritability.

Insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) is diagnosed when sleep is disrupted at least three nights per week and is accompanied by daytime symptoms such as fatigue, reduced performance, irritability or difficulty concentrating. It is considered chronic if it lasts longer than three months (or totals at least three months within a year).

Chronic insomnia is often maintained by stress-related processes, including:

• Emotional over-arousal
• Persistent, sleep-focused thoughts and rumination
• Unhelpful habits, such as excessive time in bed or avoiding activity

At UPK Basel, we provide strategies to reduce these stress responses. Treatment also draws on modern psychotherapy approaches, including mindfulness-based methods and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

In collaboration with the Centre for Chronobiology, we also focus on regulating sleep rhythms and the role of light exposure.