Insomnia means regularly finding it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep or wake refreshed, and it becomes long-term insomnia when it lasts 3 months or more. The treatment with the strongest evidence is not a sleeping tablet. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, known as CBT-I, is recommended as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in the 2023 European Insomnia Guideline, at the highest grade of evidence, and by the American College of Physicians, and it can be delivered in person or digitally. The NHS says sleeping pills are rarely prescribed because of serious side effects and the risk of dependence, and are used only for a few days or weeks at most. NICE recommends a newer medicine, daridorexant, only for adults whose insomnia occurs at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more and seriously affects daytime life, when CBT-I has not worked or is unavailable, with a review within 3 months. Before treating insomnia, a doctor looks for causes such as sleep apnoea, low mood, anxiety, pain, menopause, thyroid problems, alcohol and medicines. Most of this assessment can be done by video. At The Wellness a doctor can see you by video the same day from £150, a 60-minute Sleep Consultation is from £450 and an 8-week CBT-I programme with a sleep specialist from £1,495. Fees appear further down this page.
Reviewed by the medical team at The Wellness. Last updated 14 October 2026.
Speak to a doctor about your sleep on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.
Key facts about insomnia
Insomnia lasting 3 months or more is classed as long-term insomnia, according to the NHS.
CBT-I is the recommended first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in European and US guidance.
Sleeping pills are rarely prescribed and only for a few days or weeks at most, according to the NHS.
NICE recommends daridorexant only when CBT-I has not worked or is unavailable.
Snoring with daytime sleepiness can mean sleep apnoea, which needs a sleep study.
Most insomnia assessment can be done by video.
What counts as insomnia
You may have insomnia if you regularly find it hard to get to sleep, wake several times in the night, lie awake for long periods, wake early and cannot get back to sleep, or feel tired and irritable during the day despite having the chance to sleep. Short-term insomnia lasts less than 3 months, often after stress, illness or travel. Long-term insomnia lasts 3 months or more.
What causes insomnia
Stress, worry and changes in routine are the most common triggers. Insomnia often continues after the trigger has gone, because the habits that grow around poor sleep, such as going to bed early, lying awake in bed and napping, keep it going.
Other causes include anxiety and depression, chronic pain, menopause, an overactive thyroid, needing to pass urine at night, alcohol, caffeine, some medicines, shift work and jet lag.
Sleep apnoea is worth ruling out. Loud snoring, pauses in breathing noticed by a partner, waking with a dry mouth or headache and feeling sleepy during the day suggest it, and it is diagnosed with a sleep study rather than treated as insomnia.
Ask a doctor what is keeping you awake on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.
What is CBT-I and why does it work
CBT-I is a structured programme, usually over 6 to 8 weeks, that changes the habits and thoughts that keep insomnia going. It includes a sleep window matched to how much you are actually sleeping, getting up when you cannot sleep rather than lying awake, a fixed wake time every day, and techniques to quieten the racing mind at night.
The 2023 European Insomnia Guideline recommends CBT-I as the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in adults of any age, including people with other health conditions, at grade A, its highest level. Unlike sleeping tablets, its benefits tend to last after treatment ends.
What about sleeping tablets
The NHS says sleeping pills are rarely prescribed because of serious side effects and the risk of dependence, and when they are, it is usually for a few days or weeks at most for severe insomnia. Over-the-counter sleep aids containing antihistamines or herbal ingredients may help for 1 to 2 weeks but cannot cure insomnia, and can cause drowsiness the next day.
NICE recommends daridorexant for adults with long-term insomnia, at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more with a serious effect on daytime life, when CBT-I has been tried and not worked, or is unavailable or unsuitable. Treatment should be checked within 3 months and stopped if it is not helping.
At The Wellness insomnia is treated with CBT-I and by treating the underlying cause, and we do not prescribe sleeping tablets.
What you can start tonight
Get up at the same time every day, including weekends, and go to bed only when you feel sleepy. If you are awake for what feels like 20 minutes, get up and do something calm in dim light, then return to bed when sleepy. Avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking for at least 6 hours before bed, avoid naps, keep the bedroom dark, quiet and cool, and put screens away before bed. After a bad night, keep to your usual wake time rather than sleeping in.
When should you see a doctor about sleep
See a doctor if changing your habits has not helped, if poor sleep has lasted months, if it is affecting work, mood or driving, or if you snore loudly or stop breathing in your sleep. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, call 999 or go to A&E, or call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
What does private insomnia treatment cost in London
Private sleep clinics in central London commonly charge £300 to £500 for a first consultation, and overnight hospital sleep studies run well into the thousands.
At The Wellness each programme is a single fee, with the plan and any letters included. All figures are from prices.
Attended Overnight Sleep Study at a London sleep centre, with consultant report and results consultation, from £3,450.
The Sleep Clinic, a home sleep study with a respiratory sleep consultant, a blood panel chosen for your sleep and a treatment plan reviewed at 3 months, from £2,995.
CBT for Insomnia, 8 weeks with a sleep specialist, from £1,495.
Home Sleep Study, one night in your own bed with consultant report, from £1,395.
Sleep Consultation, 60 minutes with a doctor, from £450.
Same-day video consultation with a doctor, from £150.
Appointments are available 7 days a week by video, or at our London clinics, including Marylebone and Belgravia.
Why people choose The Wellness for insomnia
Because a doctor can see you by video today and look for the cause, not just the symptom.
Because treatment follows the evidence, with CBT-I first.
Because sleep apnoea, low mood, menopause and thyroid problems are checked rather than missed.
Because a sleep study and a sleep specialist are arranged quickly when they are needed.
And because progress is reviewed, so the plan changes if sleep does not improve.
Related reading
Private sleep study covers sleep apnoea testing, sleep apnoea test covers snoring and breathing pauses, burnout doctor covers stress and exhaustion, and seasonal affective disorder covers winter low mood and sleep.
Book a sleep consultation on WhatsApp or call 020 3951 3429.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best treatment for insomnia
CBT-I, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, is the recommended first-line treatment for chronic insomnia in European and US guidance, and its benefits tend to last after treatment ends.
Can a doctor prescribe sleeping pills
Sleeping pills are rarely prescribed, and only for a few days or weeks at most, because of side effects and dependence, according to the NHS. The Wellness treats insomnia with CBT-I and does not prescribe sleeping tablets.
How long does insomnia have to last to see a doctor
See a doctor if changing your habits has not helped, if it has lasted months, or if it is affecting daily life. Long-term insomnia is insomnia lasting 3 months or more.
Can insomnia be treated online
Yes. A doctor can assess insomnia by video, and CBT-I can be delivered in person or digitally, according to the 2023 European Insomnia Guideline.
Could my insomnia be sleep apnoea
Loud snoring, pauses in breathing and daytime sleepiness suggest sleep apnoea, which is diagnosed with a sleep study.
How much does private insomnia treatment cost
At The Wellness a video consultation is from £150, a 60-minute Sleep Consultation from £450 and an 8-week CBT-I programme from £1,495.
The Wellness is a doctor-led private healthcare group providing medical care from our London clinics, including Marylebone and Belgravia. All doctors are GMC-registered. Prescriptions are issued only following a consultation and clinical assessment. In an emergency call 999. This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice about your own health.
Enquire now on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.
References
NICE technology appraisal TA922, daridorexant for treating long-term insomnia
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