As I've said before - insomnia is by far my biggest problem.
What frustrates me is the lack of recognition such a condition is given. I believe it's a case of "out of sight, out of mind". The idea that while you are gently falling asleep, others who are tired cannot do so, is beyond people's frame of reference. It was the most frustrating thing for me as a child, I don't think even my mother realised the massive impact it has one a person's mental state when they cannot sleep.
Anyone else who was having a hard time sleeping would say - "sorry, haven't been sleeping well, so I'm a bit ratty". It's a subtle acknowledgement that not sleeping causes erratic behaviour and general inhibition of "normal" cognitive functions. These same people would turn around and say "but surely if you're tired you can sleep?". All too often this has been said.
I think it's important for anyone who does not suffer from insomnia but happens to read this to understand a simple fact: Insomnia means you cannot sleep despite needing it! People suffering from insomnia are tired, we are experiencing all the side effects a "normal" tired person experiences, we've just learned to control them.
Last I read was that if sufficiently starved of sleep, a person goes first insane, then dies, from lack of it alone. Yet still I hear people thinking I have more time on my hands because I sleep less - I spend the time lying in bed tired, getting "bad" sleep.
If this post tells you nothing else, please learn this: if anyone (especially a child) complains of insomnia, take them seriously, if long term then help them to find treatment, and try lots of treatment (not sedatives though - NOT a cure for long term insomnia). The consequences of continuous sleep loss over many years has lead me from being one of the cleverest people in my age group, to someone that just can't function because they are so tired.
Understand, even if you don't suffer. Remember when you were last really tired, or try going a week with only 3 or 4 hours sleep. Please believe this is a condition and not just someone who's not really tired.
