Visiting Huberman's (Insomnia) LabI admit I have my biases against self-proclaimed health and wellness experts who want to sell me "the new cure" or tell me "the secret your doctor does not want... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Succeeding at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)If you clicked on this article, you probably already know about cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I; if not, start here). You have probably already heard that it is a... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
“Will Weed Help Me Sleep?” The Research on Cannabis and InsomniaBefore we jump into things it is important to note I am not a prescriber and cannot make recommendations about medication. Please consult your medical care provider before starting any... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Dear Partner: Don't Ruin My Sleep!There are many articles written about how a healthy sleeper can support their partner with insomnia. But what happens when the healthy sleeper suddenly stops sleeping so well? Is there any chance... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Insomnia and the Military: Addressing the Causes and EffectsPeople who are connected to the military are especially vulnerable to sleep problems. This includes service members, veterans, and their families. What does the research tell us about insomnia? And what... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Insomnia and Sleep Apnea: How to Treat Both at OnceI previously wrote about why more people are getting diagnosed with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA). The reality of how dangerous COMISA can be is sobering. Fortunately, the right... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
COMISA: The Insomnia and Sleep Apnea Double WhammyLately, more people seem to be getting diagnosed with co-occurring insomnia disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). According to 1 study, 30 to 50 percent of people with OSA report... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
An Insomniac's Ode to EarplugsI never thought I’d write an ode to earplugs, but here we are. These little foam miracles are worth triple their weight in gold. OK, I might be going overboard now. But the... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Weighing the Research on Weighted BlanketsLet me admit from the outset that I have been skeptical of weighted blankets for insomnia. To me, they have seemed like another fad treatment for insomnia, like the herbal teas... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Insomnia and Binaural BeatsRecently, I have been fielding questions from providers and patients alike about the treatment of insomnia with binaural beats. “Binaural beats” or “BBs” was a new term to me, so... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
My 5 AM RitualLately, the only certainties in my life are death, taxes, and waking up at 5 AM for no good reason. After several months of blissfully consistent sleep, my brain has... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Insomnia Treatment for Every ScheduleThe most highly recommended treatment for insomnia disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi). While it is highly effective, it can be hard to access. It can be challenging... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Another Sleep Blip: How I Jinxed MyselfA few days ago, I wrote an enlightened piece about "sleep blips." (You can read it: Coping with Sleep Blips) I talked about how I understand sleep blips as natural reactions... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Coping With 'Sleep Blips'Tracy Hannigan’s recent blog post on “sleep blips” resonated with me. Once you’ve struggled with insomnia, you’re always on high alert for the next bout of poor sleep. Having a... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia: A Newer Treatment OptionIf you’ve been struggling with insomnia for a while, you’ve probably come across cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia (CBTI) as a gold-standard treatment. But have you ever heard of brief behavioral... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Fear of Sleep: It's Not Just for KidsNo one is surprised when a child is afraid of going to sleep. There could be monsters in the closet or under the bed. All of those strange nighttime noises are... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Stopping Sleep Medication After 30 Years“I’ve been off Ambien for 40 days!” This is some of the best news I’ve ever received from my mother. As a psychologist who treats insomnia with behavioral interventions, I... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Why I Wish You Wouldn't Use Sleep AidsI’ll be blunt: I wish you didn’t use sleep medications to treat your insomnia. I wish I could convince you to get behavioral treatment instead. If I knew you personally, I’d nag... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Did You Remember to Pack Your Insomnia?I always look forward to vacation, like most humans. I was very excited about traveling with my girlfriends for our annual beach weekend a few weeks ago. I was having fun packing... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Insomnia: The Most Common(ly Misunderstood) Sleep Disorder (Part 2)Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. But the word “insomnia” is thrown around so often that it has lost some of its meaning. I talked about the most common... By Carin Lefkowitz, PsyD2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments