If you have ever had a sleep problem, you may have had a range of emotions associated with it, not the least of which may be a social consequence: embarrassment.
Sleep is a time when we feel somewhat out of control, when our subconscious mind seems to take over. This is a relief, mostly, but for some a source of stress. You can't control what you do when you doze off, but what if this matters? How can you be accountable for actions done while you sleep? Who can be let in to the inner circle and know about the strange things you do while sleeping?
Sleep disturbances may vary from the commonplace (such as snoring) to the downright bizarre (including behaviors like sleep eating, sleep terrors, and any range of activities). If you can do it while awake, you can do it while asleep. One marvels at the possibilities! In many ways these issues may not matter, especially if you sleep alone, but sometimes they will. That loud snoring becomes an issue in the hunting camp; sleep walking is problematic in the college dorms; sleep attacks and collapses of narcolepsy draw curious glances. For those who use CPAP, the machine may make you feel less intimate and even less attractive.
For those with sleep disorders, how does your sleep problem embarrass you? Feel free to comment below or share your experiences in the forum. Sharing with others is an excellent chance to learn coping techniques and to realize that you are not alone.
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Hi Dr. Peters –
My boyfriend started noticing that during the middle of the night I was gasping for air, so I decided to contact my doctor. After conducting a variety of sleeping disorder tests, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Immediately, he ordered me a CPAP machine to start using while I sleep. I was hesitant to wear it at first because I was embarrassed around my boyfriend, however the results have been totally worth it.