Sleepless in America

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

by John Cline, Ph.D.

Narcolepsy

By John Cline, Ph.D. on January 26, 2009 in Sleepless in America

Nancy was sleeping again. Her husband and children were ready to go out but she was not. This has been the story of her life. In school she was always falling asleep. Then at night, she had trouble staying asleep. She would sometimes awaken unable to move. Read More

What part of the sleep cycle was this?

Submitted by Jane D. on February 18, 2009 - 4:39pm.

20 Diet Mountain Dews/day and cigarette smoking caused my sleep cycle to get out of whack. I ended up having short nods/zone-outs and distressing wake-ups during the day. Falling asleep for 30 seconds felt like a million years and was disorienting as heck (proprioception was whacked) I wrote this poem of the experience:

The Void
What place is this?
The darkest black hole
The blackest dark abyss
The nothing and my soul

I wake up with a start
A terror-stricken brain
And a frantic heart
Did I die and depart?

How long was I there?
Umpteen years I perceive
Like a million I swear
But my senses deceive

The alarm clock beckons
I can’t believe my eyes
Gone for thirty seconds
Nothing but lies, lies, lies!

My stomach is furious
Raging to be heard
I’m no longer curious
My vision is blurred

Disoriented and humble
With feelings of dread
I’m ready to crumble
Have I lost my head?

What part of the sleep cycle was this?

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Narcolepsy

Submitted by Anonymous on November 1, 2009 - 8:22am.

Missed a reference to the causes of Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy can also be the result of a (closed) head trauma after an accident and is than colled Secundairy narcolepsy

Traiblazer

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John Cline, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, Diplomate of the the American Board of Sleep Medicine, a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and a clinical professor at Yale University.

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