Why Successful Professionals Develop Severe Insomnia
Why Successful Professionals Develop Severe Insomnia By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Successful professionals often develop severe insomnia for reasons that have little to do with sleep itself. The problem is frequently driven by chronic stress, perfectionism, responsibility, self-criticism, anxiety, and a nervous system that rarely has an opportunity to fully relax. Many people assume […]
How Cognitive Distortions Can Keep You Awake at Night
How Cognitive Distortions Can Keep You Awake at Night By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Cognitive distortions can keep you awake at night by turning normal worries into threats, mistakes into disasters, and wakefulness into panic. The body may be tired, but the mind stays active because it is interpreting thoughts as danger. Many people […]
Can Perfectionism Cause Insomnia?
Can Perfectionism Cause Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes. Perfectionism can cause insomnia when the mind stays active at night reviewing mistakes, judging performance, comparing life progress, and trying to prevent future failure. The person may be exhausted, but the nervous system remains on alert. Many perfectionistic people do not think of themselves […]
When Insomnia Is Not Really About Sleep
When Insomnia Is Not Really About Sleep By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Sometimes insomnia is not really about sleep. The sleep problem is real, but the cause may be anxiety, trauma, perfectionism, stress, rumination, or a nervous system that has learned to stay on alert at night. Many people come to treatment after trying […]
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 […]
Can Sleep Hypnosis Help Insomnia?
Can Sleep Hypnosis Help Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, sleep hypnosis may help some people sleep better if they have insomnia, especially when anxiety, tension, racing thoughts, or sleep effort are keeping the mind and body activated at night. In my previous article, “What Is Sleep Hypnosis?” I discussed at length how […]
Why Trauma Affects Sleep for Years
Why Trauma Affects Sleep for Years By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Trauma affects sleep for years because the body may continue operating as if danger is still nearby, even when the traumatic event is over. That is why trauma affects sleep long after the event has ended. A person may intellectually know, “I am […]
What Is Sleep Hypnosis?
What Is Sleep Hypnosis? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Sleep hypnosis is a focused, guided therapeutic process that helps the mind and body move out of alertness and toward a calmer state that is more compatible with sleep. It is not magic, mind control, or stage entertainment. In clinical practice, sleep hypnosis is best […]
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 […]