Somniphobia is an uncommon sleep disorder. It usually affects children slightly more often than adults but is not age-specific, in general. We spoke to Kenneth C. Anderson, M.D., a specialist in pulmonary and sleep medicines and a physician at the Sleep Disorders Center at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, Kentucky, for one approach to the medical problems you or your loved one may suffer from when trying to sleep.
If you think you or your child might have somniphobia, use this as a reference point before getting personalized medical advice from your doctor or other accredited sleep expert. --Tracie Handley
Somniphobia is the fear of going to sleep. "Somniphobia is a nighttime problem, and a good example is a young child who is scared of going to sleep because [of] bad dreams and, now, is afraid of having another bad dream," explains Dr. Anderson. "I've seen it in [adults] with sleep apnea who wake up gasping for breath, so they don't want to go to sleep again."
Identify Your Underlying Symptoms
Dr. Anderson says that when you realize you have, or have developed, a fear of going to sleep you need to search out the underlying cause, find out the symptoms. "Do you wake up gasping, making you afraid to go to sleep again, or what are the underlying causes?" he asks.
Determine If It's Insomnia Or Somniphobia
"Again, you have to search out the underlying symptoms and identify them," and the sooner the better, says Dr. Anderson. "In the psychological aspect, people with insomnia aren't afraid of going to sleep, they just can't sleep."
Seek Professional Evaluation
According to Dr. Anderson, "Somniphobia is more of a symptom of something else that's going on." He recommends seeing a physician for sleep evaluation, "so you can get the treatment, and then get used to going to sleep again."
Make Your Bedroom Conducive To Sleep
"Practice good sleep hygiene measures," says Dr. Anderson, which means that your bedroom should be conducive to sleep. "Don't have your office in there, don't have your TV on, and don't have your entertainment in there. ... A lot of people come to a sleep clinic and they sleep so much better, because they came there to sleep. Your bedroom should be set up for sleep, and that's it."
Have A Set Sleep Pattern
"Have a set pattern, or routine, for sleep," says Dr. Anderson. "You need that routine so your body knows it's time go to bed, and then to go to sleep and do what it needs to do -- sleep."
Kenneth C. Anderson, M.D, is a specialist in pulmonary and sleep medicines. He is a physician at the Sleep Disorders Center, at Baptist Hospital East in Louisville, Kentucky, and Louisville Pulmonary Care, LLC. Dr. Anderson is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where he completed his residency and fellowship. He is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, sleep medicine and hospice and palliative medicine, and is a certified NIOSH B reader.
Have you ever suffered from a sleep disorder?
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.