Abstract This paper provides a scientific and informative look at the condition of insomnia, the subjective difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or of non-restoritive sleep. It discusses the three causes of insomnia, secondary insomnia due to chronic pain, idiopathic insomnia and circadian rhythm sleep disorders, which include jet lag syndrome, delayed sleep phase syndrome and irregular sleep/wake patterns. Through an extensive literature review and personal accounts, the paper analyzes their signs and symptoms together with known treatments and cures.
From the Paper "Even though newer drugs may be more superior, they also have dangerous side effects. In 1986 the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology published an article of chemical drug use. In this study researchers found that drugs used to for treating pain may have undesirable side effects, which include: becoming addictive, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms. According to this study Benzodiazepens deplete the neurotransmitter serotonin, adding to depression and pain. The also incite that if taken over an eight week period the patients will increase in anger and hostility."
Abstract This paper analyzes the different forms of insomnia - transient, acute and chronic. It discusses the many possible causes, including: physical (muscle pain, headache, nasal congestion, diet, heat, cold), mental and emotional (depression, stress, anxiety) and the probable effects - decreased efficiency and productivity , increased absenteeism and risks of accidents. The paper also suggests cures for this condition: herbal and homeopathic remedies, yoga, conventional medication - antihistamines, sedatives. The writer claims that the ultimate approach to chronic insomnia lies within the person and his understanding of himself.
From the Paper "Primary insomnia is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as the difficulty of initiating or maintaining sleep or sleep of the non-restorative type for at least a month.(Espie 2002) Insomnia is transient when it lasts only for a few days to a few weeks, as when some temporary event or physical condition is responsible, such as an illness, changes in sleeping environment, work or family stress or jet lag. The cause or causes will pass or can be disposed of directly But when the disorder occurs between a month and six months, it is called acute insomnia, and beyond six months, it is chronic. This type is distinguished from the ?psychophysiologic insomnia in wakefulness, the circadian rhythm disorder in time alignment, the parasomnias and secondary insomnias. Insomnia that is more than transient cannot be effectively eliminated or remedied immediately or on the surface. The underlying root cause must be discovered and dealt with directly. This is because the body's normal sleep pattern is disturbed when sleep becomes difficult or absent for more than a month, and the body adjusts to this new and irregular or poor pattern. Sedatives or some other approaches may address and calm the symptoms, but the sleeplessness will resurface only until the true cause is discovered and eliminated. Chronic insomnia is defined as ?the subjective experience of an inadequate quantity or quality of sleep that has persisted for at least one month.? (qtd in Rajput Oct 1 1999: 1) "
Tags: sleep, disorders, sedatives, yoga, homeopathy, psychophysiological, parasomnia, rem
Abstract This paper provides an insight into the disorder of insomnia, the inability to sleep or the feeling that sleep is not adequate to give the body energy during the day. It discusses the difficuties in diagnosis as there is no proven clinical test and many clinical variations exist among patients and how it is often associated with another underlying condition. It provides details of common treatments and describes how medications to increase seratonin levels have been effective as has cognitive therapy and many complimentary treatments, such as yoga, in treating insomnia.
From the Paper "The diagnosis of insomnia is subjective. There are many different forms and severity levels of insomnia. There are differences in how people react to insomnia as well. Some people are unable to function with a mild case of insomnia, while others can function quite normally with a very severe case of insomnia. These individual differences make it difficult to diagnose insomnia. Some people may sleep a full 8 or 9 hours and still feel as if they have not slept at all. People go through many different stages and levels of sleep throughout the night. The deepest stage of sleep is called Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. If a person sleeps, but is unable to experience REM sleep, they will wake up feeling sleep deprived (Kryger, et al. p. 637). There is no truly clinical test to measure insomnia. "
Abstract This paper provides an insight into secondary insomnia, a mental disorder that is common in the presence of chronic pain and examines how painkillers such as Benzodizepens, which are minor tranquilizers, are frequently used to control pain. It proposes a research study to test the hypothesis that cognitive therapy combined with painkillers is the best therapy for subjects experiencing insomnia secondary to chronic pain. The study is also designed to compare the effects of the cognitive therapy group with the drug therapy group to see if cognitive therapy can be used as a substitute to drugs.
From the Paper "A survey conducted by the Partners Against Pain, an educational program sponsored by Purdue Pharma, reports one third of people polled suffering from chronic pain feel it is so severe and debilitating they feel they cannot function as normal people, and sometimes the pain is so bad they feel they do not want to live. Forty percent of people suffering from chronic pain are not comfortable talking about their pain, and thirty seven percent say that their pain leaves them isolated with feelings of loneliness. Fifty six percent of surveyed patients report that pain interference with sleep ranks number one in effecting their daily life."
Abstract This seven-page freshman paper describes the symptoms of chronic insomnia, and gives some alternative remedies like behavioral therapy to treat depression related insomnia, noting that prescription drugs can cause further problems.
Abstract This paper presents some alternative remedies, such as behavioral therapy, to treat depression related insomnia. The author notes that prescription drugs can cause further problems.
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the medical condition of insomnia with treatments that are medical in nature against those that are applied to the psyche. The focus of this paper is on the psychological treatments, which range from being extremely conventional to the more outlandish treatments, although the more conventional sleeping pills are discussed.
Abstract This paper describes the cognitive disorder - insomnia, used to describe individuals who have poor sleep patterns, or are unable to sleep for long periods. The paper details two studies carried out on senior level undergraduates aged between 20-22, explaining the design of the study and correlation of the results.
From the Paper "Participants in the study were all senior level undergraduates age range 20-22 obtaining 12 credits or higher in their 1st semester. The participants were males and females living in same sex dormitories. Questionnaires were distributed during the 2nd semester junior year in order to select the most stressful students in their senior year. Selections were made and 50 males and 80 females selected that also had employment. The questionnaire explain the criteria of insomnia as such, for example, "How many hours of sleep do you think you get every night," "How many credit hours have you registered for in your senior 1st semester," "What is your gender," "Do you indulge in any recreational drugs," "Do you suffer from any mental ailments, i.e., depression, anxiety attacks, anti-social effects, etc.,'" and "Are you currently taking any prescribed medication." These answers will assist with defining insomnia as a chronic problem or whether a few spells have arose and dissipated from the students.
Clark (1999) "proposed six processes that impede natural
self-correction of anxiety; safety-seeking behaviors,
attentional deployment, spontaneous imagery, emotional
reasoning, memory processes, and the nature of the threat
representation" (Clark, 1999, p. S5).
In terms of GTM, participants characterized with chronic insomnia (CI), through the questionnaire, will be paired with the participant with less insomnia (LI) criteria. GTM was conducted for one-hour sessions, which met twice of week for the duration of the 1st semester (18 weeks). During the session, CI expressed the concerns about school workload, their GPA, scholarship induced criteria, chronic joint pain or migraines, poor concentration, roommates, teachers, and employment. LI expressed the majority of the same concerns except for poor concentration and chronic joint pain or migraines and reported that they would carve out specific days (Wednesday, Friday and Sundays) to sleep in."
Abstract After a general outline of sleep and what happens while we are sleeping, this paper goes on to discuss the body's biological need for sleep, the sleeping problem known as insomnia, and how it can affect one's health. The paper also looks at some possible causes of insomnia and how it can be treated.
From the Paper "We spend about one third of our life sleeping. Sleep is defined as the suspension of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored (ThinkQuest, 2003). The brain is not at rest during sleep as popularly thought, but is extremely active and it is the brain that tells us when it is time to sleep. Sensations of light taken in from the retina are transferred through the nerves to an area of the brain determines the amount of light exposure and adjusts the body accordingly. The exact purpose of sleep remains a mystery, but researchers speculate that during certain stages of sleep, the brain is testing, strengthening, or somehow improving our neurons."
Abstract Insomnia, the most common sleep complaint, is the feeling of not having slept well or long enough. Common problems are sleeping too little, difficulty falling asleep (taking more than 30-45 minutes), awakening frequently during the night, or waking up early and being unable to get back to sleep. Age-related changes contribute to one's ability to sleep continuously and soundly. Many older adults have problems sleeping. With advancing age, some people switch to shorter nights and some to longer ones.
Abstract This article looks at four psychology papers. The writer discusses two papers on the subject of treatments for insomnia and two papers regarding child psychology. The writer looks at the matter of child stress coping and parental emotions. In this article, the writer also discusses the effect of parental support in childhood on health in adulthood.
From the Paper "The study by Shaw Krause Chatters Connell and Ingersoll-Dayton looked at the relationship between emotional support from parents in early life and its effects on physical and mental health throughout life and into old age. Previous studies have shown a correlation between a lack of parental support in childhood and psychological problems in later life, but few have looked at the effects of parental support on physical health. This study looked at the effects of parental support on adults from age through years. It found ... "
Abstract The paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of sleep disorders in the United States, specifically discussing sleep apnea and insomnia, and the treatments available to help patients suffering from these disorders. The paper explains that sleep disorders are one of the most common afflictions affecting Americans today and are caused by a wide variety of issues. The paper concludes with a summary of treatment options to help patients experience restful sleep.
From the Paper "People experiencing occasional insomnia can try several lifestyle modifications to see if they affect their sleep patterns. For example, they should try to go to bed at the same time every night. If they cannot sleep, they should get up and engage in an activity, such as reading or knitting, until they are tired. They should avoid sleeping during the day. They should also avoid alcohol, coffee, and nicotine before retiring, and they should avoid heavy meals and heavy physical exercise right before bedtime, too."
Abstract This paper discusses sleep disorders in the elderly and focuses on insomnia. In order to understand the pathogenesis of sleep disorders, the paper begins by describing the normal sleep cycle in a neurophysiological context. It then looks at the causes that may disrupt the normal sleep cycle and discusses the effects of the aging process on sleep disorders.
From the Paper "In conclusion, sleep disorders such as insomnia can be especially distressful in older adults, particularly the elderly. Aside from the normal circadian drift of the sleep- wake cycle in these individuals, secondary causes can inhibit initiation or maintenance of sleep, particularly chronic diseases and diseases presenting at advanced ages. The use of medications versus non-pharmacologic approaches has been debated, with promising results from clinical trials advocating a non-pharmacologic approach to initiating and maintaining sleep in this population of patients (Sivertsen, Omvik, Pallesen, Bjorvatn, Havik, Kvale et al., 2006). While promising, future studies replicating these results at multiple sites with varied day-night cycles are recommended."
Abstract The writer of this article notes that in order to understand the pathogenesis of sleep disorders, the normal sleep cycle must be understood in a neuro-physiologic context. The writer points out that sleep disorders such as insomnia can be especially distressful in children and adolescents. The writer discusses that aside from the normal developmental circadian adaptations and drift of the sleep-wake cycle in these individuals, secondary causes can inhibit initiation or maintenance of sleep, particularly chronic diseases and mental disorders. While most causes are self-limited and treatment conservative, more elaborate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions may be warranted. The writer concludes that the role of the polysomnography technician is to ascertain the cause of the disorder as well as justify the need for sleep studies while providing useful input for the health care team.
From the Paper "Sleep disorders can arise from several causes that disrupt the normal sleep cycle in spite of its seemingly grounded cyclic variation in physiology. It can be disrupted when the number of hours required for the individual were not met or were met but with frequent wakeful states in between (sleep fragmentation). The cause must be ascertained first by the technician through a perusal of the patient's history and physical examination with particular emphasis on past and present sleep patterns, aggravating or relieving factors, medications taken, co-morbid diseases, psychiatric co-morbidities such as depression, among others. A polysomnography may be warranted when sleep hygiene strategies fail or an apparent cause is not apparent."
Abstract The paper examines recent research that proves that music can relieve anxiety, pain and disorders such as insomnia, dyslexia and apraxia (absence of speech). The writer of the paper is of the opinion that any method that can be used to safely and cheaply improve our health should be investigated further.
From the Paper "Throughout human history, music has played an integral part in our culture. For thousands of years, people have understood that music is beneficial to the mind as well as the body (Nilsson 780). Despite this, many people discount the therapeutic affect of music. Recent research, however, definitively proves that music can relieve anxiety, pain, and disorders such as insomnia, dyslexia and apraxia. Health is an issue that concerns everyone. In our society, modern medicine is often costly and intrusive. Music therapy is a cheap and easy method that is shown to have many health benefits. This fact, couple with convincing research, represents a preponderance of evidence that clearly demonstrates how music can greatly benefit the mind and body."
