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Books on Insomnia !

Posted by Dumb as a Fish on June 10, 2004 at 10:01:28:

This past week I went to the library to get some books on Circadian Rhythm and insomnia to read. I figured, if nothing else maybe they will help put me to sleep! I know that the only real reason I find it impossible to sleep is because my biological clock is in complete reverse: My body temp is highest at night when it should be lowest or falling. And the time I find it easiest to fall asleep is 8AM! I also feel most alert (and hungriest) around midnight (I could go out and run a marathon). These books confirmed for me that the real issue is not inability to sleep but circadian rhythm. You fellow insomniacs might wanna consider checking out these, or similar books. There are probably newer ones available but here are the ones I found at my library:
1. Wide Awake At 3:00 A.M: By Choice or Chance?
-Richard Coleman,1986
2. Secrets of Sleep
-Alexander Borbely, 1986
3. Body Rhythm: The Circadian Rhythms Within You
-Lee Weston,1979
4. A Woman's Guide To Sleep
-joyce Walsleben,Ph.D and Rita Baron-Faust,2000

Of these four I found #1 and #3 most helpful in understanding insomnia as it relates to Circadian Rhythms and also most hopeful (although I haven't yet read #4). And reading them did help alleviate my frustration over falling asleep the first night I read them and actually did help me fall asleep. They confirmed my suspicions that the real culprit is my biological clock. And I have been to MANY doctors for my insomnia and NOT ONE ever told me it was my circadian rhythm! NOT ONE ever suggested I have Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome and NOT ONE ever suggested any solutions whatsoever other than sleeping pills! This is major incompetence! NOT ONE of the doctors I have seen in the past 10 years ever once had anything else to offer! Even the local sleep clinics only treat Sleep Aphnea and Narcolepsy, leaving the rest of us out in the cold. My advice? Be your own doctor.

In these books I learned why. Becuase med schools don't teach them anything about sleep; the average doctor is not required to learn anything substantial about sleep disorders and circadian rhythms. Just as med schools neglect nutrition, they neglect this area as well. So doctors know less than the average lay person about both subjects and when I go into a doctor's office I always feel as if I am giving away free money to a moron who knows less than I do. I had to teach THEM that I have Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome and that No, I am not running a low-grade fever in the evening hours, I am waking up in accordance with my biological clock!

One of the suggested solutions (in these two books) to both chronic insomnia caused by a messed up circadian rhythm and depression is Chronotherapy. Not one doctor EVER mentioned this to me. Not even a "sleep specialist"! Those of you who are shift workers might also find these books very helpful.

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  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


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