William Wordsworth’s Sleepless Nights

It seems that William Wordsworth was well acquainted with insomnia. His poem “To Sleep” describes how he wrestled sleep – and lost – across three restless nights.

Poet Christopher Nield recently wrote an essay about the poem for the Epoch Times. It’s the latest in his series on “Classic Poetry for Modern Life.”

In the opening lines of the poem Wordsworth describes the futility of his attempts to capture sleep “by any stealth.” Counting sheep. Listening to the imaginary sound of rain. Visualizing a pleasant scene.

“He looks for that elusive key to rest,” comments Nield.

The result? “Still I lie sleepless.”

With dread Wordsworth anticipates hearing the sounds that will signal day’s return. For him the blessing of sleep has become a curse.

He concludes with a desperate, hopeful plea for sleep to come this time:

So do not let me wear tonight away:
Without Thee what is all the morning's wealth?
Come, blessed barrier between day and day,
Dear mother of fresh thoughts and joyous health!

Nield suggests that the poem remains as relevant today as when it was written.

“How many of us can identify with Wordsworth’s description of lying awake until the birds twitter their dawn chorus?” he asks.

What about you? Are you all too familiar with the struggle Wordsworth describes? Do you find comfort in the words of his poem?

Get insight about insomnia in this Q&A with a sleep specialist on SleepEducation.com.

Michael Jackson’s Struggle with Insomnia

The Associated Press reports today that Michael Jackson struggled with severe and chronic insomnia. A nurse told the AP that he wanted to obtain the drug propofol - also known as Diprivan - to help him sleep.

Diprivan is a powerful sedative that is injected into a vein. It is given to patients before an operation or medical test.



Jackson’s insomnia may have had a variety of causes.

The AP reports that the 50-year-old singer was rehearsing hard for his upcoming “This Is It” tour. This may have caused adjustment insomnia. This type of insomnia results from a source of stress.

His concern about being unable to sleep may have developed into psychophysiological insomnia. People with this sleep disorder worry too much about insomnia and about being tired the next day. As a result, they learn to become tense and anxious as bedtime approaches.

The AP article notes that Jackson would sleep with a computer on the bed. This is a sign that he may have developed bad habits that prevented him from sleeping well. This is called inadequate sleep hygiene.

The AP also reports that Jackson often was in pain. Painful medical problems often cause insomnia due to medical condition.

Jackson may have been taking a variety of prescription medications. Many medications can suppress or disrupt sleep. Insomnia due to drug or substance may result.

His insomnia also may have been related to a mental health problem. The AASM reports that insomnia due to mental disorder is the most common disorder in people who seek help from a sleep center for ongoing insomnia. Often it is related to depression or anxiety.

Do you struggle with insomnia? You can get help at an AASM-accredited sleep center near you.

Update - July 28, 2009: The AP reported today that authorities believe the drug propofol caused Jackson's heart to stop.

Update - Aug. 6, 2009: The Wall Street Journal reports that the abuse of propofol is a growing problem among medical professionals.

Update - Aug. 29, 2009: The AP reports that the Los Angeles County coroner's office determined the cause of death was "acute propofol intoxication."

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I Have No Control Over My Racing Mind

Many people with insomnia complain that their thoughts race out of control at bedtime. This complaint is typical of psychophysiological insomnia.

This form of insomnia involves a state of “hyperarousal” at bedtime. Often your thoughts focus on your inability to sleep. As a result you may try harder to fall asleep. But this effort may cause you to stay awake even longer.

But the belief that you have no control over a racing mind is one myth about insomnia. You can learn how to relax your mind and your body when you are in bed. Part of this process involves setting aside time to reflect on the day’s events and plan for what lies ahead.

Cognitive behavioral therapy also can help put the brakes on your racing thoughts. It helps you develop positive attitudes and habits that promote a healthy pattern of sleep. One common method is relaxation training.

Read the complete list of 10 Insomnia Myths on SleepEducation.com.

Image by Justin Silles

To Go to Sleep, Get Out of Bed

For some people with insomnia, the key to falling asleep is their bed. They need to get out of it.

And sleep on the floor? No, they can still sleep in the bed. They just need to stop spending so much time in it.

This has to do with psychophysiological insomnia: psycho = mental, physio = physical, logical = study or science of. It occurs when the mind and body interact in a way that keeps you awake.

With this form of insomnia, you may learn to associate your bed with frustration. You toss and turn, unable to fall asleep. So getting into your bed causes feelings of anxiety.

This explains why you may sleep better away from home. You’re in a new bed and in a new environment. The negative associations are absent. So you are able to fall asleep quickly.

What can you do when you suffer from this type of insomnia? One step you can take at home is to practice "stimulus control." This is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy.

First, you should learn to associate your bed only with sleep. Don’t read, watch TV or talk on the phone in bed.

Second, you should go to bed only when you are sleepy. One of the worst things you can do is get into bed when you feel alert. That is a recipe for frustration.

Third, give yourself about 20 minutes to fall asleep. Then if you are still awake, get out of bed. Do something relaxing. Once you feel sleepy, go back to bed again.

You also should practice the healthy habits of good sleep hygiene. Create a relaxing bedtime routine. Try to wake up at the same time every day.

A medication also may help you with sleepless nights. Talk to your doctor before trying to treat insomnia on your own.