SLEEP – NIGHTMARE AND OTHER
Nightmares occur during REM sleep and the child or adult wakes and can remember not only at that time but the next day, most of the details of the dream which caused the awakening.
Sleep paralysis, or hallucination to sight and sound may occur in children and adults and it is often most marked when they are just drifting off to sleep.
They are of no significance but may cause anxiety.
Narcolepsy is a specific disorder with episodes of severe lethargy during the day so that the person must sleep.
This sleep can last for minutes or hours and may recur throughout the day.
Probably the worst treatment for insomnia is to get into the habit of taking sleeping tablets.
These are satisfactory for the short term, taken for a few nights or even a week or two, but if their use is prolonged beyond this then dependence and tolerance may develop.
Most people with sleep problems just need simple reassurance and help in modifying their habits so as to gain the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
For others with marked disturbance it may be necessary to refer them to special clinics which are being developed in many major hospitals.
*565/71/1*
