[BobbyP]

Has anyone else ever noticed how often the news media comes out with “the latest study” on how VERY important it is that we all get enough sleep?? Whenever I see yet another serious, worried-looking doctor on tv, or hear about it on the radio, or see it on the internet, where they are telling us that we all need more sleep, I want to scream at them, “Yes, yes, I'm trying!!” Why do they have to make us even more paranoid over something we are already stressed about? 😡

[Dozydame]

Yes Bobby, couldn't agree more. Once again it's the assumption that sleeping is simply a choice.

Well all I can say is if not getting much sleep is such a health hazard, I should nearly be at death's door. Yet after over 40 years of chronic insomnia (apart from the obvious side effects) I appear to be remarkably healthy. Makes me wonder what I would have been like if I'd been sleeping all this time??? 🙄

[Martin Reed]

I completely agree, Bobby. One of the hardest aspects of maintaining Insomnia Land is finding half-decent material for the blog. I must sift through hundreds of news articles every month, and only a few actually contain useful or interesting information. In addition to being told how important sleep is, I want to hit myself over the head every time I read the typical insomnia advice like 'avoid caffeine' or 'drink warm milk'.

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If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

[BobbyP]

Wow, Martin, you are right about that! Whenever another “expert” throws out those pieces of advice — all of which we insomniacs have already been trying for years — I can't help but yell “Been there, done that, and it doesn't work!” Once again, it is so nice to have all of our fellow Insomnia Land members having similar feelings and frustrations.

[Jane]

Has anyone seen those special pillows you can buy that play music? They've got these built in speakers and the idea is to just listen to this music and you'll gently drift off to sleep and hey presto problem solved. No more waking up at all hours of the night spending ages trying to go back to sleep. 🙄

[sleepy lies]

'Jane' wrote on '06:

Has anyone seen those special pillows you can buy that play music? They've got these built in speakers and the idea is to just listen to this music and you'll gently drift off to sleep and hey presto problem solved. No more waking up at all hours of the night spending ages trying to go back to sleep. 🙄

That probably wouldn't work with me. I need utter silence to sleep.

I think there's a thread in 'Sleep Deprivation and Insomnia Help' called 'Sleep Tracks Special Deal' that offers a similar resolution. Maybe worth to give it a try.

[1949Molly]

'BobbyP' wrote on '04:

Has anyone else ever noticed how often the news media comes out with “the latest study” on how VERY important it is that we all get enough sleep?? Whenever I see yet another serious, worried-looking doctor on tv, or hear about it on the radio, or see it on the internet, where they are telling us that we all need more sleep, I want to scream at them, “Yes, yes, I'm trying!!” Why do they have to make us even more paranoid over something we are already stressed about? 😡

Right on! And to follow it up – why on earth hasn't someone actually come up with a viable, long term solution to this serious and wide-spread problem??

[Martin Reed]

Molly, I think the real issue is two-fold. My cynical side says the reason is that insomnia treatments don't make enough money to warrant high levels of research. My more optimistic side says the reason is the fact that insomnia comes in so many different forms and affects people in different ways – therefore, there can never be a universal insomnia cure, since we're all so different.

I'll continue to report my findings on the Insomnia Land blog, though!

—

If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

[MarinaFournier]

'Martin' wrote on '05:

I must sift through hundreds of news articles every month, and only a few actually contain useful or interesting information. In addition to being told how important sleep is, I want to hit myself over the head every time I read the typical insomnia advice like 'avoid caffeine' or 'drink warm milk'.

Martin, you're going to hit the wrong person if you do that! Shoot or hit the messenger, in spite of advice to avoid that.

[MarinaFournier]

'Martin' wrote on '08:

insomnia treatments don't make enough money to warrant high levels of research

But you're right–that's why sleep apnea is a preferred dx, because those machines DO make money.

Quote:

insomnia comes in so many different forms and affects people in different ways – therefore, there can never be a universal insomnia cure, since we're all so different.

This is also true for migraines and neurological/mental disorders: we ARE all different, and react to things in inconveniently individual ways. If there's a Big Reason behind that individuality, which could be deconstructed and understood, it might not matter that we have so many different reactions to specific remedies.

To a certain point, as with insomnias, the mechanism behind migraines and chronic/severe/bipolar depressions, and the schizo-affective, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder axis (which runs along after bipolar disorder), and maybe even AD(H)D and the autisms, are so little understood that trying to a) diagnose them accurately and 😎 treat them* is so far down the line that I can only hope my son lives long enough to see them solved.

*I think the only time the neurologically atypical should be given medication is if it makes their lives easier. I don't think that “curing” autism is a valid goal–understanding the way they think and perceive is far more rewarding for all of us. Yes, therapies to help them integrate into mainstream society in a way that keeps them from getting overload triggers, and to overcome some “blank spots” they may have, but attempting to make them “normal” is depriving us all of something that could be absolutely wonderful.

[MarinaFournier]

'BobbyP' wrote on '04:

Has anyone else ever noticed how often the news media comes out with “the latest study” on how VERY important it is that we all get enough sleep?? Whenever I see yet another serious, worried-looking doctor on tv, or hear about it on the radio, or see it on the internet, where they are telling us that we all need more sleep, I want to scream at them, “Yes, yes, I'm trying!!” Why do they have to make us even more paranoid over something we are already stressed about? 😡

Ok, your turn finally. I get so tired of the “blame the victim” reports. I'm short, female, left-handed, bipolar, diabetic (type 2), round, hypertensive, hypothyroid, high-cholesterol, and insomniac. Each of these can lead to a shorter lifespan or an increased tendency to have Something Nasty happen, and I haven't even gone into other genetic issues! At least I survived birth against the odds, and then my first month.

Yes, you idiots, we know. Now what are you going to do FOR us?

[Author]

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