"In the 1960s, a high-school student in the US, Randy Gardner, was kept awake for 11 days for a study on the impact of sleep deprivation. He experienced symptoms including delusions, irritability and a lack of coordination."
"Sleep dismissal appears to have now been replaced by sleep hysteria. In 2017, sleep scientists coined the term orthosomnia, which means straight or correct sleep."
"Some people who were missing out on sleep because of factors outside their control were becoming increasingly distressed not so much because of how disrupted sleep made them feel during the day, but because of fear of the perceived consequences."
Historically, sleep was often undervalued, exemplified by figures like Margaret Thatcher. Recent years have seen a shift, recognizing the importance of sleep for health. Studies, including one involving Randy Gardner, show severe effects of sleep deprivation. The wellness industry has responded with various products aimed at improving sleep. However, the rise of orthosomnia indicates a troubling fixation on achieving perfect sleep, leading to anxiety for some individuals. Concerns about the long-term health impacts of poor sleep have intensified, causing distress among those unable to sleep due to external factors.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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