Can Anxiety Cause Chronic Insomnia?
Can Anxiety Cause Chronic Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, anxiety can absolutely cause chronic insomnia. It can also maintain it long after the original stressor has passed. In my clinical work, I often see that people are not just struggling with sleep. They are struggling with a nervous system that has learned […]
Cognitive Distortions: How Unhelpful Thinking Affects Sleep, Anxiety, PTSD, and Recovery
Cognitive Distortions: How Unhelpful Thinking Affects Sleep, Anxiety, PTSD, and Recovery By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, the way you think can make sleep, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and emotional distress worse. That does not mean your symptoms are your fault. It means that thoughts, emotions, physical symptoms, and behavior influence one another. When the […]
EMDR and PTSD Recovery
EMDR and PTSD Recovery By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. EMDR may support PTSD recovery for some patients by helping them process traumatic memories that continue to trigger fear, shame, anger, body tension, nightmares, avoidance, and hypervigilance. EMDR is not about erasing the past. It is about helping the nervous system respond differently so the […]
What to Expect During EMDR Therapy: Before, During, and After a Session
What to Expect During EMDR Therapy: Before, During, and After a Session By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you are considering EMDR therapy, you can expect a structured process that begins with preparation, not immediate trauma processing. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is used most often for PTSD and trauma-related […]
Sleep Anxiety and Insomnia: Why Fear of Not Sleeping Keeps You Awake
Sleep Anxiety and Insomnia: Why Fear of Not Sleeping Keeps You Awake By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Sleep anxiety can keep insomnia going because the fear of not sleeping activates the same nervous system response that prevents sleep. The person may be exhausted, but the mind starts monitoring, calculating, predicting failure, and worrying about […]
Can Gut Health Affect Anxiety, Inflammation, and Sleep?
Can Gut Health Affect Anxiety, Inflammation, and Sleep? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Gut health and sleep are connected, but not in the simple way often promoted online. Food does not cure chronic insomnia, anxiety, PTSD, trauma, or depression. Nutrition can support the body’s biological systems, including gut health, inflammation, blood sugar stability, immune […]
ADHD and Sleep: Why Children Have Sleep Problems and Bedtime Battles
ADHD and Sleep: Why Children Have Sleep Problems and Bedtime Battles By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Children with ADHD often have sleep problems because the same nervous system difficulties that affect attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and hyperactivity can also interfere with sleep. Some children cannot slow their minds down at night. Others have […]
Eleven Best Foods That Help You Sleep
Eleven Best Foods That Help You Sleep By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you struggle with insomnia, you may have wondered whether certain foods can help you fall asleep faster or sleep more soundly. The answer is yes, some foods appear to support healthy sleep. However, it is important to understand that no food […]
Foods That Help You Sleep: What to Eat Before Bed
Foods That Help You Sleep: What to Eat Before Bed for Better Sleep By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you are struggling with insomnia, you may wonder whether certain foods can help you sleep better. The short answer is yes. Some foods appear to support healthy sleep, while others can interfere with it. However, […]
What Is Sleep Coaching and Can It Help You Sleep Better?
What Is Sleep Coaching and Can It Help You Sleep Better? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. You might be wondering, what is sleep coaching and can it help you sleep better? You may have come across the term “sleep coach,” but what exactly is sleep coaching, and can it actually help you sleep better? For […]