Life-changing online care for insomnia

Brightside is available to people 18 years and older in the states where Brightside operates who believe they may be experiencing depression and may benefit from treatment.

Remote care is not a good fit for people with certain conditions or situations. These include (but are not limited to):

• Previous suicide attempt or active suicide planning
• Ongoing, high risk self-harm behavior
• Recent involuntary hospitalization for psychiatric reasons
• Schizophrenia or any symptoms of psychosis
• Certain severities of Bipolar Disorder and symptoms of mania
• Substance abuse problems
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Eating disorder with high-risk symptoms
• Kidney or liver disease, seizures, or long QT (for Psychiatry plan only)

Our providers do not treat, and do not prescribe for adhd.

If any of these describe you, it’s best for you to be seen by a provider in person so you can get the care that’s right for you.

Brightside makes it easy to get top quality depression care from the privacy of home.

Here’s how Psychiatry works:

1. Take the assessment: Answer questions about yourself to provide the information your provider will need to thoroughly evaluate your situation.
2. Connect with a psychiatric provider: Get matched with an expert psychiatric provider for a comprehensive video consultation. Share how you’re feeling, then decide on the best next steps — together. These conversations normally last about 15 minutes to review your situation, discuss your care plan, and answer any questions you may have. 
3. Follow your care plan: If the provider chooses to prescribe, your medication will be sent to your local pharmacy. Your plan also includes digital therapy, and self-care tools you can use at your own pace.
4. Make progress: We’ll ask you to tell us about your symptoms and side effects weekly, allowing the provider to monitor your progress and make any necessary changes to your care plan, so you can get the best results.

Here’s how Therapy works:

1. Take the assessment: Tell us what you’re experiencing, and we’ll help you understand what it means.
2. Connect with a Therapist: Connect with an expert, licensed therapist by messaging and with access to one 45-minute video appointment included with your subscription each week. You will continue to have Unlimited messaging support and guidance to help you build skills and feel better.
   
3. Complete sessions: Complete personalized, self-paced audio lessons and practice exercises, building the evidence-based skills and habits you need to overcome your depression and anxiety.
4. Make Progress: Report back on what’s working well for you and where you want to go deeper with the option to purchase additional video sessions if you choose. Your therapist will help guide you through your personalized program so you see the best results.

When scheduling your first appointment, you can browse all of our available providers in your state. Take a look at their profiles and check open times to find the best fit for you. Every Brightside provider undergoes a rigorous hiring and vetting process to ensure the highest quality care.

Brightside currently accepts select insurance plans in various states for payment of your provider’s or therapist’s services. Please see below for a current listing of plans. Brightside may not be included in all plans that each health insurance company offers. Please contact your health insurance plan to verify that your care at Brightside will be covered.

We currently accept the following insurance plans:

• Cigna (all states, except MN)
• Aetna (nationwide)
• Allegience (nationwide)
• Anthem (CA only)
• United Health (select states)

If you are a new member signing up for services you can enter your insurance information during the sign-up process. We’ll let you know your eligibility, as well as you estimated co-pays and out-of-pocket costs (if any) before signing-up or scheduling.

We also accept HSA/FSA payment if you have one of those accounts. If you have questions about using your medical or prescription insurance benefits, please contact us by emailing [email protected].

You may be diagnosed with insomnia if you have difficulty falling or staying asleep for at least three nights a week. Short-term insomnia lasts less than three months. Chronic insomnia lasts for three months or longer. Your doctor may do more tests to see whether your insomnia has caused any underlying health conditions.

Before seeing your doctor, it may be helpful to keep a sleep diary for one to two weeks. A sleep diary can help your doctor understand your sleep problem and whether certain activities or substances (like caffeine) are affecting your sleep. Write down when you go to sleep, wake up, and take naps each day. Also keep track of how sleepy you feel throughout the day, when you drink caffeine or alcohol, and when you exercise.

Worries can keep your mind active at night. Issues with work, school, family, and money can trigger your symptoms of anxiety. Not getting a good night’s sleep can further exacerbate feelings of anxiety.

Sleep problems affect more than 50% of adults with GAD. Researchers have discovered that sleep disruption—which affects levels of neurotransmitters and stress hormones, among other things—wreaks havoc in the brain, impairing thinking and emotional regulation. In this way, insomnia may amplify the effects of psychiatric disorders, and vice versa.

Studies estimate that 65% to 90% of adults with MDD experience some kind of sleep problem. Insomnia also increases the risk of developing depression.

A meta-analysis of 34 different studies concluded that poor sleep—especially during times of stress—significantly increased the risk of developing depression.

In another study, researchers found that as insomnia persisted, the subjects developed an even greater risk for depression.

Insomnia can occur at any age, but is more likely to affect women than men. Other risk factors for insomnia can include:

• Stress & anxiety: Sleep problems affect more than 50% of adults with general anxiety disorder.
• Depression: Studies estimate that 65% to 90% of adults with major depression experience some kind of sleep problem.
• Age: Research suggests that almost 50% of people over 60 years of age experience symptoms of insomnia.
• Medications: Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause or contribute to insomnia, including: antidepressants, heart and blood pressure meds, allergy meds, and pain meds.
• Stimulants: Drinking caffeinated beverages late in the afternoon can prevent you from falling asleep at night.
• Medical conditions: Sleep issues are associated with several chronic conditions, including: arthritis, breathing problems, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hyperthyroidism, menopause, and acid reflux. 
• Obesity: Sleep disorders are linked to obesity, as adults who sleep less than six hours per night have an obesity rate of 33%. The obesity rate for those who sleep seven to eight hours per night is 22%.
• Environmental changes: Working the night shift or long-distance travel can affect your body’s circadian rhythm and interfere with a restful sleep.
• Sleep hygiene: Sleeping with background light or noise, in extreme temperatures, or using screens before bedtime can interfere with a restful night’s sleep.

If you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or don’t wake up feeling refreshed, it might be time for a conversation with your doctor. Untreated sleep problems can lead to a host of other problems and can set the stage for negative thinking and emotional vulnerability.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-I) can be helpful for people suffering from insomnia. Those with insomnia tend to become preoccupied with not falling asleep. CBT techniques can help you change negative expectations and build more confidence in having a good night’s sleep.

There are a handful of alternative treatments that can help insomnia, including lifestyle changes, better sleep hygiene, and relaxation techniques.

Lifestyle changes
Most people know that caffeine contributes to sleeplessness. But did you know that alcohol and nicotine can, too?

Alcohol initially depresses the nervous system, which can help some people fall asleep, but the effects wear off in a few hours and can cause unrestful sleep. Nicotine is a stimulant, which speeds heart rate and thinking and can inhibit the natural bodily processes for sleep.

Giving up these substances is best, but avoiding them before bedtime is another option.

Physical activity
Regular exercise can help you fall asleep faster, spend more time in deep sleep, and awaken less often during the night.

Sleep hygiene
Many experts believe that people “learn” insomnia, and can therefore “learn” how to sleep better. Good sleep hygiene is the term often used to include tips like maintaining a regular sleep-and-wake schedule. The idea is to use the bedroom only for sleeping and sex, and keep the bedroom dark and free of distractions like the computer or TV.

Some experts also recommend “sleep retraining,” which means staying awake longer in order to ensure sleep is more restful.

Relaxation techniques
Meditation, guided imagery, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation (alternately tensing and releasing muscles) can counter anxiety and racing thoughts.

Melatonin
Evidence suggests that melatonin is not effective in treating most primary sleep disorders with short‐term use, although there is some evidence to suggest that melatonin is effective in treating delayed sleep phase syndrome with short‐term use.

Evidence suggests that melatonin is not effective in treating most secondary sleep disorders with short‐term use.