I've already mentioned about some of the effects of insomnia and sleep deprivation.
Now I'd like to expand a little on that topic. Why? Because this is a big issue for many insomniacs. A major part of sleep anxiety is worrying about sleeping and the health effects of not being able to sleep. Of course this just adds to the vicious cycle, because worrying about not sleeping just makes you stay awake longer than ever.
OK, so let's talk more about sleep deprivation vs. insomnia.
On the surface, both seem to be very much related. Don't you automatically suffer from sleep deprivation when you have insomnia? How can you avoid it?
Well, I know it sounds a little strange, but my personal theory is that sleep deprivation and insomnia are NOT the same. In fact, they are very different from each other and almost opposite. Here's why I believe this:
First, let's go beyond the obvious definition of sleep deprivation as simply the state of not getting enough sleep. Let's make it a more literal, accurate definition: being "deprived" of slumber.
To suffer from sleep deprivation means sleep is being withheld or taken away. So really, there has to be a deliberate effort or action involved.
Either it's your fault -- as for example, you don't allow yourself enough hours for sleeping -- or the fault of someone or something else -- for example, your next-door neighbor playing the drums outside your window all night long.
Of course it could also be your job requiring you to work odd hours or a double shift -- your child or baby needing your attention -- or a few dozen other things. It could be that no one specifically wants you to stay awake, but you have to for some reason that is beyond your control.
Now let's compare that with insomnia -- the state of not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep for a long enough period time.
Do you see the difference?
Insomnia happens when you have plenty of opportunity to sleep, but you can't.
OK, so why am I harping on this? Why do I think it's so important to understand the difference?
Well, here's why:
Because I truly believe that sleep deprivation and insomnia are not only different in meaning, but they are different in physiology. How could they be the same when they have such different causes?
I believe the sleep experts, who that say insomnia is caused by hyperarousal of the nervous system.
I also believe that this state is a natural ability that humans are born with. And I also believe that it has its roots in a survival instinct.
Hyperarousal simply means that the nervous system is overactive and has lost its usual tendency to switch into the low-arousal state that allows sleep. Despite how tired you might be feeling right now, your nervous system has been put on a state of alert.
The ability to stay up all night or most of the night is an important human trait. It has saved many lives through the centuries and will continue to do so. It should not be dismissed as a mere nuisance. We are designed to go into a state of alert for our own safety. It's a good thing for all of us that we can stay up at night when we need to.
I'm not saying insomnia is a great thing to have. Of course it isn't. But I want to point out that insomnia is not strange or weird or a sign that you've "lost it." It has a strong root in a normal and desirable human trait -- the ability to stay awake, alert, watchful, and protective through long hours of darkness and danger.
Insomnia is not a disease and does not mean that there is something fundamentally wrong with you. You have simply been put into a state of alert without there being a real necessity to do so.
You will soon learn how to switch back into your normal state. But meanwhile, give this idea some thought. It helped me develop patience and understanding in my quest for a cure to my own insomnia. Perhaps it can help you too.