Sleepless in America

Healthy rest, problem sleep, and the dreams and nightmares therein.

John Cline, Ph.D., works at the Sleep Disorders Centers of Connecticut and Waterbury Hospital Regional Sleep Lab. He also teaches psychiatry at Yale University. See full bio

November 16, 2009

Managing Jet Lag

Jet lag occurs as a result of rapid travel over several time zones so that there is a temporary mismatch between the internal timing of the sleep/wake cycle and the external time demands for the sleep/wake schedule of the changed time zone. Read More

October 19, 2009

Jet Lag

You may have seen the recent Saturday Night Live skit about ‘Muammar al-Gaddafi' attributing his rambling UN speech to jet lag. While the skit was funny, jet lag is not. Read More

September 24, 2009

Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder Part 2: Treatment

Kristin was late to school again, as she had been so many times before. Since she didn't go to bed until 3:00 a.m., she wasn't able to get out of bed at 6:30 a.m. for school. This time she had to meet with the principal. Read More

August 30, 2009

Delayed Sleep Phase

Kristin was running late again. Could she possibly make it to school on time? Why had she stayed up so late last night texting her friends? Read More

July 28, 2009

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Part 5: Sleep Hygiene

This is the fifth and final post on the cognitive behavioral approach to treating insomnia. Sleep hygiene involves following simple rules designed to promote better quality sleep so as to enhance daytime functioning.

Poor sleep hygiene relates to a number of habits that can have a detrimental effect on sleep. Read More

July 13, 2009

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Part 4: Sleep Restriction

Matt was lying awake in bed, again. It was 3:30 a.m. His wife and young children were soundly asleep. The hours passed slowly. Thoughts drifted through his mind as he reviewed the day's events. The next morning he could not remember clearly what he had been thinking about all those hours in bed. Read More

June 14, 2009

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Part 3: Cognitive Restructuring

In the last post I discussed the use of stimulus control methods to help manage and overcome insomnia. This post will discuss the use of cognitive techniques in the treatment of insomnia. Read More

May 26, 2009

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Part 2: Stimulus Control

In the last post I discussed ways to evaluate your sleep. After determining what your sleep pattern is and what factors are contributing to your insomnia, you are prepared to start working actively on getting better sleep. Read More

May 11, 2009

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia Part 1

In previous posts I discussed the problem of insomnia and its treatment with medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. In the next several posts I will review in greater depth a number of the techniques used by behavioral sleep specialists to effectively treat insomnia. These methods have been tested in rigorous clinical research and are used daily through out the country, either as part of a self-help program or in formal therapy to manage and overcome insomnia for many weary people seeking relief from this persistent and potentially debilitating sleep disorder. Read More

April 21, 2009

Helping Teens Sleep Better

In the last post I discussed some of the reasons why teens are often getting too little sleep and what the impact of getting too little sleep is for them. The question arises - what can be done to help improve sleep for teens? Read More

Sleep Basics

For many of us, sleep is the sweet balm that soothes and restores us after a long day of work and play. But for those for whom sleep is elusive or otherwise troubled, the issue is far more fraught. Most people, at some point in their lives, experience difficulty falling asleep.

Go to the Sleep Basics page for more on Sleep including:

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