The Detroit times., 1915-07-28
Causes of Sleeplessness.
~ n. AoplNoToN BRUCE,
Author OF The Riddle Of Personality.
Psychology and Parenthood," etc.

So much Misunderstanding exists with regard
to that widespread malady insomnia, or chronic
sleeplessness, that IL Ia well worth while cali
ing tatention 10 the results OF certain recenS
scientific Investigations.
This indeed, is doubly desirable. because
these Investigations have thrown more light
on the whole subject Of sleep than was ever
before available. .
For one thing. and most important OF all,
they have demonstrated that In nearly every
case insomnia Is the result OF nothing more
than unhealthy state OF mind
And In nearly every It is durable.
In fact. the latest researches 80 TO show that
the only kind OF insomnia that 10 incurable 10
that which is associated with some organic dis
ease for which medical science has as yet dis
covered no remedy.
Thus organic disease Of the brain sometimes
has persistent sleeplessness a. one OF Its symp
toms And the same Is true Of organic diseases
OF the heart. stomach Kidneys. etc.
These may cause wakefuness through pain.
or through irritation OF the brain by bodily sub
stances which have not been properly eliminat
ed, as would be the case were the organs sound
But In nine instances out Of ten sufferers rom
insomnia are free from organic disease. ana
though they may have functional troubles which
aid In keeping them awake. the real source OF
their sleeplessness Is to b sought In their
minds.
The great difficulty with them is that they
have consciously or subconsciously argued them
selves into A FIRM BELIEF THAT THEY CAN
NOT SLEEP
The evolution OF a typical case or insomnia
man commits some hygienic fndiscretion-
perhaps he eats a little too much-which has
the effect OF disturbing his rest IL he does not
let this trouble him. and does not repeat MIS-
hygienic error all will be well. He Will there
after sleep soundly as ever.
But frequently the loss Of a few nights rest
brings panic Exaggerated notions OF the harm
done by sleeplessness I'LL the mind. Then
desperate effort Is made to sleep-an effort
foredoomed to failure because OF the now as
tablished fact that SLEEP CANNOT COME
DURING A STATE OF MENTAL TENSION,
and trying to sleep always involves mental
tension.
Failing in his effort to sleep. the wakeful man
begins to worry, which only increases the men,
tai tension that already has become extreme.
Sleep. consequently Is banished the more effect
uay.
And. little by little. every sleep-bringins de-
vice proving futile, there gradually develops
fixed idea that sleep can never be had again.
Yet, In point OF fact IL really In simple mat
WORRYING about its absence and STOP TRY.
ING TO COMPEL 1T TO COME
In addition. OF course. one should take the
dietary and ygienic precautions necessary 10
guard against recurrence Of the uncomfortable
physical sensations which cause temporary
wakefulness In the first place.
Dragging. however. In absolutely useless. for
the self-evdent reason that drug can have
the power OF breaking up the fixed idea which
at bottom In responsible for the inability TO
sleep
Learn to close up shop mentally as soon "a
your head touches the pillow. take sleeping for
granted and your trust in 1t will always be
rewarded.