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Joan Rachel Goldberg
interviewed by Brian Hecht on 22 September, 1995
" If you feel tired after a decent night's sleep, you may have an undiagnosed sleep disorder."
Joan Rachel Goldberg works for the National Sleep Foundation.
Tripod: When you ask, most college students will say that they're really really tired. Why do you think this is?
JRG: College students tend to get insufficient sleep for lifestyle reasons. They often stay up too late, try to do everything and place a low priority on sleep. They may have difficulty falling asleep because of stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol use, poor "sleep hygiene," or other things. That includes inconsistent bedtimes and wake times, caffeine or exercise too close to bedtime, and other behavioral factors.
Tripod: What determines how much sleep a person needs?
JRG: People seem biologically programmed to be short, long, or average sleepers. The body's biological clock governs when we feel sleepy and when we feel alert. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy also affect how much sleep is needed.
Tripod: Many people associate needing lots of sleep with laziness -- and needing less sleep with energy and motivation. Is there anything to this?
JRG: No. Sleep is a basic biological need. People who are depressed often sleep more. But depression, like sleep disorders, is a treatable, medical condition, not a sign of laziness or lack of motivation.
Tripod: What are some of the greatest dangers associated with sleep disorders?
JRG: Sleep disorders can be life-threatening. In sleep apnea, sufferers literally stop breathing repeatedly through the night, putting stress on their hearts and making them more susceptible to strokes. Individuals with neck sizes over 17 inches who snore loudly are at risk. Sleep apnea, narcolepsy -- characterized by chronic exhaustion and sudden sleep "attacks" -- and other sleep disorders result in excessive daytime sleepiness, affecting work, relationships, and health.
Tripod: Lots of people say "I had insomnia last night." What, exactly, is insomnia -- and can you have it for just one night?
JRG: Insomnia is a symptom, not a disorder in itself. Insomnia includes difficulty falling asleep and staying sleep. Insomnia may be short-term -- even one night -- or chronic -- lasting months or years. Insomnia that persists should be treated before long-term sleep difficulties arise.
Tripod: Let's say you sleep through the night, but always feel extremely cranky in the morning. How cranky is too cranky?
JRG: Crankiness is as crankiness does. Of more importance is sleepiness. If you feel tired after a decent night's sleep, you may have an undiagnosed sleep disorder. Sleepy drivers are as dangerous as drunk drivers. For more information on our Drive Alert ... Arrive Alert program and the warning signs of fall-asleep crashes, write for our free brochure, Wake Up! or e-mail us at [email protected].
Tripod: The days are getting shorter now. Does more darkness make you more tired? I know that, in December, when the sun sets at 4:30, I'm ready to call it a day.
JRG: The body's biological clock is affected by light and dark. Going to bed earlier and getting mor daylight sunshine may help you feel more awake by day, research suggests. Some people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and are particularly sensitive to diminished sunlight. Light therapy and psychotherapy may also be of help.
Tripod: Are there any resources that college students should be aware of if they think they have a sleep disorder?
JRG: The National Sleep Foundation offers free rosters of sleep centers accredited by the American Sleep Disorders Association. To request one for your area, write to our address.
You can view a National Sleep Foundation page on the Web at http://www.cloud9.net/~thorpy/#nsf
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