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Sleeplessness — Living with How you can help the sufferer, yourself and your relationship While nearly all of us experience sleeplessness or "insomnia" at one time or another, persistent sleeplessness can cause serious strains on personal relationships. If you live with someone who suffers from sleeplessness, you already know they can be irritable and moody. The sleep-deprived personality of an insomniac may be making life more difficult than necessary and, perhaps, causing serious stress in your relationship. According to a Gallup survey for the National Sleep Foundation, about two-thirds of insomniacs are unable to concentrate or function in their relationships. Since sleep deprivation is known to impair concentration, increase fatigue, create a more negative mood and feelings of general unhappiness, treating your loved one's insomnia could make a significant improvement in your relationship. Be alert to insomnia's warning signs. Pay close attention to your loved one's symptoms and you'll be able to better understand and sympathize with their problem. Communication is the first step in ending your partner's insomnia. Take the time to ask them a few questions, they may provide the answers you've been looking for to achieve a more restful night's sleep. Do they: lie awake for half an hour or so before falling asleep; wake up in the morning earlier than desired; worry about things; have thoughts or fears that prevent quality sleep; have trouble relaxing; have feelings of sadness and depression? America's "hidden disease". Insomnia can affect anyone, regardless of gender, social class or nationality. Sleep disorders and chronic sleep deprivation may be the number one "undiagnosed and untreated" medical problem in this country, according to health authorities. An estimated 40 million Americans—and almost twice as many women as men—suffer chronic sleep disorders while another 20 to 30 million have periodic sleep problems. In a recent survey, 53% of Americans—that's over 125 million people—reported not getting enough sleep. What's keeping them up at night? It could be anything from anticipation of an important event, tension and pressures from everyday life, loss of employment or something specific to a relationship. It could also be physical; muscle-tension headaches from excess stress can also affect sleep patterns. Other sources include medical conditions, effects of sleeping pills or other medicines, stimulants such as alcohol and tobacco, sleep pattern changes due to aging, psychological problems, shift work or irregular sleep patterns to name just a few. Which of the three basic types of insomnia does your partner suffer from? Transient Insomnia (which lasts for a few nights), Short-Term Insomnia (which lasts two or three weeks), or Chronic Insomnia (poor sleep lasting three weeks or more)? You can successfully treat Transient or Short-Term Insomnia, both of which are considered situational, with the self-care techniques shown below, while Chronic Insomnia is a more serious problem and should be treated by a doctor. The good news is there is more information than ever to help end your partner's insomnia for good. Changing your partner's personal habits may be all it takes to end insomnia. Your partner may incorrectly believe their sleep patterns are normal. Improving their "sleep hygiene" might help them achieve a better, more restful night's sleep. Help your spouse or loved one with the guidelines below and you'll end up helping your relationship as well. Here are some tips to offer your partner:
Don't be discouraged if your sleepless partner doesn't see an immediate change—the best results are achieved over a period of two to four weeks. Where to go if self-care fails. If the above suggestions prove ineffective, there are still other ways to treat insomnia. You and your partner can learn more in dozens of insomnia-related books at your local library or bookstore. You can also help your partner by sharing information with fellow sufferers in an insomnia support group in your area. And you can also find help online in one of the hundreds of sleep-related sites found on the Internet. If problems persist, you may want to encourage your loved one to consult a counselor, doctor or other medical professional to help both you and the sleep-deprived. Hundreds of accredited sleep disorder centers nationwide claim high success rates in treating insomnia quickly and effectively. For more information, or to locate a sleep clinic near you, contact the American Sleep Disorders Association at (507) 287-6006.
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