Since insomnia seems a common complaint from PWPs, I thought you might find
this article interesting.
Ron Reiner (49/2)
-------------------
If you're tired of counting sheep,
Kaiser program offers solutions
for sleepless nights
OAKLAND, Calif.--(BW HealthWire) via Individual Inc. -- If
you're tired of counting sheep, an innovative Kaiser Permanente
program may put a stop to those sleepless nights.
The Sleep Easy Education Program (SLEEP) features a unique,
hands-on approach that gives participants tools to understand
and overcome their insomnia. To date, the eight-week program
has a 75 percent success rate.
"The program helps participants identify possible causes of their
insomnia and experiment with techniques for improving sleep,"
said Erick Schwartz, licensed clinical social worker and SLEEP
facilitator. "Our goal is not to diagnose or treat sleep disorders --
it is to help people become their own sleep therapists."
According to the National Sleep Foundation, one in two American
adults experience insomnia, which includes difficulty falling
asleep or staying asleep, or failure to feel rested despite a
full-night's sleep. To make matters worse, few people realize there
are ways to prevent and manage insomnia.
Scotts Valley resident Belinda Cabigas, 45, suffered from insomnia
for nearly eight years before she found help. Desperate for a
sound night's sleep, she resorted to taking over-the-counter
sleeping pills nearly every night. She finally went to visit her
Kaiser Permanente physician, who referred her to SLEEP.
"When I first entered the program I felt like a zombie," Cabigas
recalled. "I was taking care of my injured father and my child, and
I felt completely drained and tired all the time." The program
taught Cabigas to stop relying on over-the-counter sleeping pills
and make some lifestyle changes.
"Because I tend to be a hyper person, I needed to learn some
ways to slow myself down so I'm not so revved up in the
evening," she explained. "Now I sleep well most of the time. A
burden has been lifted off me and, after all these years, I'm finally
enjoying my life again."
SLEEP consists of eight weekly one-and-a-half-hour classes
reviewing various aspects of sleep, insomnia and treatments. Each
class includes group discussion and a session on topics
including the stages of sleep, sleep disorders, behavioral
treatments, Circadian rhythms (the body's internal sleep clock),
relaxation techniques, various medications commonly taken for
insomnia (including melatonin) and snoring.
The program also reviews some general "sleep hygiene" tips,
including avoiding caffeine, exercising regularly and adhering to a
regular sleep schedule.
According to Schwartz, participants keep a "sleep log" to help
them determine the quality and quantity of their sleep. They also
complete a "day log" to help them identify events that may have
positive or negative influences on their sleep patterns.
"When participants record what happens during the day, they
often begin to see patterns," Schwartz explains. "A person may
have trouble sleeping after an argument with a spouse or a
stressful day at the office, or he or she may not be sleeping well
because of a physical discomfort or illness. The causes can be
emotional, physical or environmental."
SLEEP, part of the new Department of Behavioral Medicine, is
located next to Kaiser's Permanente's Santa Teresa Hospital at 275
Hospital Parkway in San Jose. Participants must be referred to the
program by their Kaiser Permanente physicians. For more
information, call (408) 972-3225.
The California Division of Kaiser Permanente is a prepaid, health
maintenance organization (HMO) serving almost 5 million
members throughout the state. The Division has approximately
6,100 physicians and 55,000 employees. It is organized into 12
local market areas which are served by 26 major medical centers.
CONTACT: Kaiser Permanente News Bureau | Tom Debley or Lila
Petersen or Laura Rohde, 510/987-3900
[Copyright 1997, Business Wire]
