All About Paradoxical Insomnia: A Rare Condition Between Sleep and Wakefulness

"The technician put sticky sensor things all over my face, in my hair, on my neck, on my chest, she says. "It was really uncomfortable. I thought, There is no way I'm going to sleep tonight in this little hospital bed."

The next morning, Watson felt completely sleep-deprived—but the research doctor later informed her otherwise: "I was told that I slept seven hours. If you had asked me, I would have said two hours, because that's what it felt like. I was completely shocked."

She was also surprised to learn that her snoring—the result of a deviated septum—was not serious enough to obstruct her breathing or be considered sleep apnea. Her real problem, it turned out, was paradoxical insomnia.

Finding a solution
Watson was relieved to find out that there was a real explanation for her symptoms, and the diagnosis helped her doctor understand her condition better. They worked together, trying Tylenol PM, over-the-counter melatonin, and, when those weren't helpful, a variety of prescription sleep drugs. These have helped, but Watson is hoping that her next visit with a sleep specialist will improve her sleep even more.

While insomnia is the most common sleep problem in the U.S. (affecting an estimated 35% of the population), it's estimated that less than 5% of those cases can be considered paradoxical.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has more information on paradoxical insomnia and other uncommon sleep disorders at its patient website, SleepEducation.com. If you or your sleep partner are experiencing these symptoms, talk to a certified sleep specialist.