Malingering and Addiction in the Treatment of Sleep Disorders

Discuss malingering and addiction in the treatment of sleep.

For individuals with insomnia, medications to help induce and sustain sleep may be helpful. On the other hand, sleep aids pose potential concerns, namely abuse. Some people exceed recommended doses, and some continue taking medications even after symptoms are no longer present. Others obtain medications under false pretenses, which is one form of malingering. Malingering occurs when clients make up or exaggerate symptoms for some personal gain. What is the mental health professional’s role in these instances? In which instances would it be appropriate to break confidentiality due to a concern of malingering? How could the malingering potentiality be planned for and avoided?