Welcome to Insomnia and Sleeplessness

I gave a dirty look to my colleague that night when she turned up about half an hour late to the meeting.  When I went to work earlier than usual the next morning to work, I saw her sitting inside her room staring into space.  Since I had about 15 minutes, I sat down and wanted to have some social chat with her.  “Good morning, gee, we are early today.”  “Swee, my father passed away last night.”  My jaws dropped. “I am so sorry to hear that.”

He lived in Egypt,aged 78,  had a sudden massive heart attack while walking up stairs.   He did complain of general unwellness while she spoken to her father last over the long distance phone.  “So are you going to fly back to Eypt for his funeral and show him respect.”  She could not, and I know deep down, both of us have schedule booked for next few weeks.  In Egyptian culture, the dead has to be buried on the same day.  However, on day 40, there is a special ceremony.  She is planning to fly back to attend it.

Apparently, she only had 2-3 hours of sleep overnight after hearing the bad news.  She took stilnox (sleeping pill), without much effect.  She turned up to workplace at 7am, and had been sitting inside her room since then.  “I am feeling the guilt of not being there for him”.  “May be things would be different if I was there”.  “I think mum will have trouble to cope being alone suddenly”……..

Bereavement refers to the feelings of sadness and depression following the loss or death of a significant other.  A wide range of emotional and physical problems may be associated with bereavement including grief, anxiety, and the associated physical symptoms of insomnia and anorexia. 

Intense emotional reactions are common in the first weeks following bereavement and include:

• crying
• irritability
• worry
• anger
• guilt
• insomnia
• loss of interest in usual activities
• somatic manifestations of depression or anxiety

During the first month or so, such reactions would be acknowledged as being “usual”, but these symptoms may become disabling.  The time taken for complete recovery will vary from one individual to the next.  Some individuals may recover rapidly from acute distress in a few weeks while others can show residual impairment in functioning for 4-5 years after their loss. 

How have you coped?