Insomnia
Larry Dossey, M.D.
As someone who personally has had insomnia for years, I offer the following
description of my own treatment, which involves a series of images and inner
dialogue.
First, I refuse to think of insomnia as a disease. I have an abiding faith that
my body will sleep if the need for sleep is sufficiently great. That's the most
important step: to de-pathologize the problem to refuse to classify it as a true
problem at all.
Second, I plan ahead. When I awaken at three A.M., I realize I may be
awake for another three or four hours. Therefore, I always have something
ready at my bedside to read--either something pleasurable and light or
perhaps some research material or professional journals. As I begin to read, I
give myself the assurance that I will fall asleep sooner or later; it's only a
matter of time. I remind myself once again of the dependability of my body
and its ability to take care of itself, to sleep when needed. Thus assured, I read
without any sense of despair or disappointment about the insomnia. I never
tell myself that I'll be tired in the morning. And as I go back to sleep, as I
almost always do sooner or later, I express thanks to the approaching
sleepiness for returning and looking after me. When I awaken in the
morning, I am usually refreshed, with a bonus: I've managed to have a good
read or have caught up on things I needed to peruse. I can look back on the
insomnia not as wasted time but as a productive interlude.
When I awaken in the night, I don't think about being the only one awake.
I consider all the other people who are up at this hour-some working, some
who have insomnia like me. I sometimes recall a patient I once had who, all
her life, needed only one hour of sleep each night. I also think of all the
nocturnal creatures who love the night who are out there now, awake with
me-the owls, bats, raccoons, spiders, coyotes, moths, fireflies. I think about
sharks who never sleep and who get along O.K. And I sometimes think of
famous people who were classic insomniacs-great poets, scientists, writers-
who did their best work during the wee hours. This creates a feeling of
brotherhood and neutralizes the sense of isolation and aloneness that can
accompany insomnia.
I never try to fall asleep. For me, that is extremely counterproductive.
Sleep is much like breathing: it works best if left alone. When we try to
interfere, we obstruct the process. So I acknowledge and honor the natural
sleep/wake flow in me, even if insomnia seems occasionally to be a part of
the pattern.
I remind myself that perfect sleep is probably a myth. What natural cycle
doesn't have a few bumps in it? Every physiological cycle I know has some
sort of alternation or rhythm. Why should sleep patterns be constant?
The ancient Taoists had a phrase for all this. They called it "going with the
flow."
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