Insomnia: It's not just a "Night Thing"

If you are like 70% of Americans, your typical bedtime routine involves a lot of tossing and turning in an attempt to settle your mind and body down for a good night's rest. New research reported in the journal "Sleep" shows that those struggling with insomnia don't just have more active brains at night, their brains are "always on" throughout the day as well. The study discovered that, when compared to sound sleepers, people with insomnia are not only more alert during the day, but they also have more brain plasticity. While "plasticity" sounds like a win, in this case, it indicates that the brain is hyper-aroused, meaning it’s stuck in a state of constant excitability.

The Daytime Toll of a Hyper-Aroused Brain

This increased excitability can wreak havoc on your cognitive and emotional health. When your brain is hyper-aroused, you often experience racing thoughts that don't quit just because it's noon. This constant mental noise can interfere with your concentration, memory, organization, and time management. It can also create a sense of hyperactivity and impulsivity that makes it hard to just be. In addition, individuals living with these racing thoughts frequently report feeling anxious, stressed, and physically tense.

A "Big Picture" Approach to Rest

Traditional pharmaceutical approaches to insomnia generally focus only on the "night part," disregarding the daytime experience of the hyper-aroused brain. Sleep aids may help you find temporary rest, but they do little for the daytime effects of a brain that’s stuck in high gear. At Carter Counseling Center, we take more of a "big picture" approach to insomnia by providing a way to modify unhealthy wave patterns at the source.

Through the process of neurofeedback, we help your brain learn and reinforce healthier patterns. These patterns generalize to both your awake and sleep states, reducing symptoms around the clock. It’s not about just forcing sleep; it’s about teaching your brain how to find its way back to calm.

by Trish Carter, LIMHP, LCPC, BCN