Dr. Freeman's Blog Posts

Why can't I sleep when it's hot? A man rests in bed at dawn while educational graphics illustrate body temperature regulation, circadian rhythm, and healthy sleep physiology.

Why Can’t I Sleep When It’s Hot?

Why Can’t I Sleep When It’s Hot? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. You may have trouble sleeping when it’s hot because your body needs to cool down in order to fall asleep and stay asleep. You may be asking yourself, “Why can’t I sleep when it’s hot?” When your

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Adult reviewing a sleep journal with a therapist while seeking help for insomnia and chronic sleep problems

When Should You Seek Help for Insomnia?

When Should You Seek Help for Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. You should seek help for insomnia when sleep problems last more than a few weeks, affect your daytime functioning, increase anxiety about bedtime, or lead you to rely more heavily on medication, alcohol, or other sleep aids.

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Why can't I put my phone down at night? A woman lies awake in bed holding a smartphone while her partner sleeps beside her.

Why Can’t I Put My Phone Down at Night?

Why Can’t I Put My Phone Down at Night? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you find yourself scrolling through your phone long after you intended to go to sleep, and keep asking yourself, “Why can’t I put my phone down at night?” the problem is often not a

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A calm adult in a therapy office learning how CBT-I treats chronic insomnia and sleep anxiety

Why Insomnia Often Becomes a Habit

Why Insomnia Often Becomes a Habit By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Insomnia often becomes a habit because the brain and body can learn to associate bedtime, the bed, or nighttime waking with alertness instead of sleep. After enough nights of frustration, clock watching, worry, or fear, the nervous system

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A calm adult in a therapy office learning how CBT-I treats chronic insomnia and sleep anxiety

How CBT-I Treats Chronic Insomnia

How CBT-I Treats Chronic Insomnia By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. How CBT-I treats chronic insomnia is practical: it changes the thoughts, behaviors, sleep schedules, and nervous-system patterns that keep insomnia going. It does not simply give you more sleep hygiene rules. CBT-I helps retrain the brain and body so

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Why sleeping pills sometimes stop working

Why Sleeping Pills Sometimes Stop Working

Why Sleeping Pills Sometimes Stop Working By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Many people begin taking sleeping pills, sleep pills, sleeping tablets, or other medication for insomnia and experience significant improvement. Over time, some find that their insomnia medications become less effective, leading them to wonder why their sleep problems

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Sleep therapist in San Diego office for Dr. Charles R. Freeman, The San Diego Sleep Doctor in Mission Valley

Finding a Sleep Therapist in San Diego

Finding a Sleep Therapist in San Diego By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you are looking for a sleep therapist in San Diego, Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D., is known as The San Diego Sleep Doctor for his extensive work treating chronic insomnia, nightmares, PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and sleep

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Man with chronic insomnia reviewing a sleep journal as part of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

What Is CBT-I? A Complete Guide to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia

What Is CBT-I? A Complete Guide to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. CBT-I for insomnia (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia) is considered the gold standard treatment for chronic insomnia. CBT-I for insomnia helps people identify and change the thoughts, behaviors, habits, and nervous system patterns

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A tired adult awake in bed wondering why they wake up at 3 A.M. every night

Why Do I Wake Up at 3 A.M. Every Night?

Why Do I Wake Up at 3 A.M. Every Night? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you wake up at 3 A.M. every night, your nervous system, stress hormones, sleep rhythm, pain, trauma history, or nighttime anxiety may be keeping your brain alert when your body should stay asleep.

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Dr. Freeman's Articles on Sleep, Trauma, and Behavioral Medicine