New York Times blogger's battle with insomnia

In a New York Times blog entry titled “Requiem for a Nice Person” a broadcast writer vents about how a decade long fight with insomnia has made her constantly irritable and unsocial.

On her worst weeks, Lindsey Anderson only gets a total of about 12-15 hours of sleep.

Here’s how she describes those episodes:

“It’s like I am piggy-backing a dwarf around all day — a heavy dwarf. It also feels like I’m sick. Not stay in bed sick, but head achy, dry eyes, stiff and generally miserable. Some days I could literally “go toddler” — plop myself down wherever I am and cry my eyes out. I don’t want to do anything when I’m sleep deprived.”

Much of the entry is about her relationships with her friends and peers, and how she went from being “friendly” to “just nuts.” The blogger describes says she can be cynical, sarcastic and sometimes flat-out rude when she doesn’t sleep.

Past studies have shown extreme sleep deprivation worsens mood and the ability to perform tasks. Another more recent study theorizes why sleep deprivation impairs social ability.

If your insomnia is interfering with your ability to function during the day, has lasted at least three weeks, and is not improving you should seek treatment at an AASM-accredited sleep center near you.

Pregnancy, Sleep & Postpartum Mood

A new study examined the relationship between disrupted sleep and postpartum mood in mothers. The results were published today in the journal Sleep.

The study from Australia involved 44 healthy women. They all had a low risk for postpartum depression. Their ages ranged from 18 to 41 years. Sleep was measured by actigraphy for seven days during the third trimester and seven days after giving birth.

Results show that sleep deteriorated after delivery. Total sleep time at night fell from 428 minutes in the third trimester to 373 minutes after delivery. Daily nap time increased from 32 minutes to 101 minutes.

Forty-six percent of women had some deterioration of mood after delivery. But the link between objective sleep measures and mood was weak. Variables related to the subjective perception of sleep were stronger predictors of postpartum mood.

“Subjective perception of sleep shared a much stronger relationship with mood,” said lead author Bei Bei. “Women who are concerned about their sleep and/or mood should speak to health care professionals about cognitive-behavioral therapy.”

Bei said that pregnancy is a joyous and exciting time. But it also exposes women to many stressors, including disturbed sleep.

The authors reported that new moms often have a mild mood disturbance a few days after delivery. This is called the “baby blues.”

It tends to involve mood swings and tearfulness. Other symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and headaches may occur. Postpartum blues may last about a week.

Some moms may experience postpartum depression. This involves more severe mood changes that can impair daily functioning. The Office on Women’s Health reports that about 13 percent of pregnant women and new mothers have depression.

Last year a study found a hormonal link between restless legs syndrome and pregnancy.

Read more about sleep and pregnancy on SleepEducation.com. Get sleep tips for new parents from the AASM.

Sleep Improves Sports Performance

A study that was presented last week at SLEEP 2009 in Seattle, Wash., adds to the evidence that sleep can improve sports performance.

The ongoing study at Stanford involved five members of the women’s tennis team. They maintained their regular sleep routine for two to three weeks during the season. Then they extended their sleep to 10 hours per night for five to six weeks. Performance was measured after ever practice.

Results show that sleep extension was associated with significant performance improvements. The athletes were faster during sprinting drills; their hitting accuracy also improved.

Sleep extension also led to changes in mood. Daytime sleepiness and fatigue decreased, and energy increased.

“Many do not realize that optimal or peak performance can only occur when an athlete’s sleep and sleep habits are optimal,” study author Cheri Mah told the AASM.

Last year at SLEEP 2008 Mah presented results of a similar study involving Stanford swimmers. Sprint times were faster during sleep extension; turn times and kick strokes also improved. Swimmers even reacted faster off the blocks.

At SLEEP 2007 Mah reported that sleep extension improved basketball performance. Sprint times and free-throw shooting improved after extra sleep.

Over the years Mah also has worked with the football, golf, cross country, and track and field teams at Stanford.

“Athletes across all sports can greatly benefit from extra sleep and gain the additional competitive edge to perform at their highest level,” Mah told the AASM.

Mah also said that Stanford coaches have been paying close attention to their athletes’ involvement in the ongoing study.

“Many of the Stanford coaches are definitely more aware of the importance of sleep,” she said. “Coaches have even started to make changes to their practice and traveling schedules to allow for proper sleep habits. For many athletes and coaches, this study was the first time they truly understood how large of an impact sleep can have on their performance and results.”

Image by Marc d'Entremont