Paradoxical Insomnia (Sleep State Misperception): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Person lying awake in bed at night, representing paradoxical insomnia and sleep state misperception

Paradoxical Insomnia (Sleep State Misperception): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph. D. Many people wonder, what is paradoxical insomnia? Paradoxical insomnia, also known as sleep state misperception, sleep misperception, or subjective insomnia, is a sleep disorder in which people believe they are awake for much of the night even though they […]

Why Can’t I Fall Asleep at Night? Causes and Remedies That Work

Why can't I sleep at night

Why Can’t I Fall Asleep at Night? Causes and Remedies That Work By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Many people struggle to fall asleep even when they feel tired. Lying awake at night, thinking, “Why can’t I fall asleep?” is not only frustrating but can also affect health, mood, and daytime functioning. Understanding why falling […]

How Hypervigilance Causes Sleep Problems and Insomnia

Hypervigilance and sleep problems shown by an anxious woman scanning a dim hallway, representing trauma-related insomnia and nighttime alertness

How Hypervigilance Causes Sleep Problems and Insomnia By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Hypervigilance can cause sleep problems and insomnia because the nervous system stays on alert when it should be resting. A person may be physically safe in bed, but the brain and body may still be scanning for threat. This can lead to […]

What Causes Chronic Insomnia?

A tired adult sitting calmly in a softly lit bedroom at night, reflecting on chronic insomnia and sleep anxiety

What Causes Chronic Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Chronic insomnia is usually caused by more than one issue. Anxiety, trauma, PTSD, chronic pain, depression, grief, stress, medication dependence, alcohol use, medical symptoms, and learned patterns of nighttime alertness can all keep the brain and body awake. In many cases, insomnia is the symptom, […]

How to Help Insomnia: Focus on Solutions, Not Causes

How to help insomnia through practical questions and solutions written on a napkin beside a coffee mug

How to Help Insomnia: Focus on Solutions, Not Causes By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. How to help insomnia is one of the most common questions I hear from patients. Many people spend years searching for reasons they cannot sleep, hoping that understanding the cause will solve the problem. While insight can sometimes be helpful, […]