Sleep Hygiene

[safiyarozz]

The name itself sounds silly;like something children's television and Preschool-teachers would promote to children with little jingles and dances.

[safiyarozz]

Psych clients frequently have v. poor habits re: bedtime routine and sleep -- and then wonder why they sleep so poorly.

I do not think it is only Psychiatric-patients that complain of an irregular sleeping-pattern and as to why they cannot sleep at night.

[elkpark]

I do not think it is only Psychiatric-patients that complain of an irregular sleeping-pattern and as to why they cannot sleep at night.

Certainly not -- but this is posted in the psychiatric nursing forum and, presumably, most of us are working with psych clients specifically.

As for the term being "silly," well, that's an individual opinion. But there's no question that it's a legitimate, common medical term:

Sleep Hygiene

SleepEducation.com

Sleep hygiene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/howto.html

Dr. Michael J. Breus: Sleep Hygiene 101: How To Ensure A Better Night's Rest

Self Tests by Psychology Today

Rules of Sleep Hygiene

Etc., etc., etc. ... My Google search turned up "around 807,000" entries for "sleep hygiene."

[lucianne]

From Merriam-Webster Online dictionary:

Hygiene

1: a science of the establishment and maintenance of health

2: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) conducive to health.

So while "hygiene" may encompass cleanliness it is not limited to it.

[brownbook]

OK, the term sleep hygiene is funny. But insommnia is a serious subject. Sleep hygiene is not just for patients. Sleep hygiene is shown to be more effective for anyone with insommnia than using sleeping pills. You can find sleep hygiene protocols on any Internet search. As for funny terminology, I always loved pulmonary toilet and nipple confusion.

[Smitty08]

I am familiar with the term sleep hygiene, I always assumed it was in common use. It makes sense as a descriptor and I use it in my notes to denote a general discussion of a pts sleep. One "sleep hygiene" tenet I have not noticed posted before is "avoiding daytime napping." I always check this out with patients, some of whom say "I NEVER sleep!" When you ask if they nap during the day, they sure do, and sometimes most of the day!

[elkpark]

One "sleep hygiene" tenet I have not noticed posted before is "avoiding daytime napping." I always check this out with patients, some of whom say "I NEVER sleep!" When you ask if they nap during the day, they sure do, and sometimes most of the day!

Yes, I've spent years (decades, now ) telling clients, yes, I understand that when you're not sleeping, you're exhausted during the day and napping is v. tempting -- however, the more you sleep during the day, the less likely you are to sleep at night, and, although it (taking the nap) feels good at the time, it's making the larger problem (not sleeping) worse. I've rarely gotten v. far with this line of thought, but I've kept "fighting the good fight" ...

[LethaChristina]

We often "tell people" in hopes of education--but do not do the work of finding out why the maladaptive behaviors continue, when we see it happening. A good bit of "listening" here, is helpful. Many are fearful of being alone and in the darkness (reflecting the state within)... some have fear of death... (i.e. I don't know what is going on when I'm asleep... and since the daytime was so bad--I thought I might just die)... or perhaps putting them in with a roommate that has to be restrained every night--you can well imagine what might be going on here! There are many reasons why people don't sleep--including not having enough meaningful and productive activities during the day to tire them out and given them a sense of satisfaction... as well as being so "labeled" they can no longer find meaningful work to do--therefore, there is no reason to get up at an early hour.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

In my very brief work on a psych unit I was frustrated every night when patients would ask for sleep meds, and then go watch TV, and 20 minutes later come up for more meds. Repeatx3, they'd be staggering and eyelids half open, but refuse to lie down. The doc/nurses would medicate to the max, and the patients knew that if they kept going back they'd get more and more every night. I wonder now if some of the patients sold their drugs on discharge, and wanted a maximum dose. Absolutely crazy practice, I would have insisted they spend the time between meds lying down at least.