Many insomniacs believe they get little to no sleep, but lab studies often show they sleep a normal amount. This phenomenon, known as paradoxical insomnia or subjective-objective sleep discrepancy, reveals a complex interplay between perceived and actual sleep, with new research suggesting a unique 'wake-like' brain activity during their sleep.
Paradoxical insomnia, also termed sleep state misperception or subjective-objective sleep discrepancy (SOSD), describes a condition where individuals are convinced they are awake or barely sleeping, despite objective sleep studies showing they are getting adequate rest. While previously thought to be misperception, recent brain imaging suggests these individuals may experience a unique altered state of consciousness, exhibiting 'wake-like' brain activity even when technically asleep. This phenomenon is not rare, affecting a significant portion of insomniacs, and can even occur in non-insomniacs. Solutions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and paradoxical intention can help manage SOSD by addressing anxious thoughts about sleep and encouraging a less forceful approach to falling asleep, highlighting that our understanding of sleep is still evolving.
