In the morning there were stashes of airplane peanuts, cookies, and other treats found under her pillow. The bed was full of crumbs. The patient simply could not fall back to sleep without eating something. She felt more secure having her food with her in bed for her ravenous awakenings. Several factors may contribute to the adult tendency to eat at night.
Nocturnal eaters tend to have poor sleep habits.
For a list of good sleep habits, click here . Obese individuals and those who lack normal recognition of hunger signals can also be predisposed to the disorder. Individuals with this problem should see their sleep professional and have their blood-glucose levels checked. A referral to a sleep clinic for overnight testing may also be warranted. Cognitive behavioural therapies can help individuals with this problem.