Say Good Night to Insomnia : The Six-Week, Drug-Free Program Developed At Harvard Medical School

Rating:
Summary: Practical and User Friendly
Review: Of the 4 books I have recently read on this subject this was by far the most practical and user friendly. This is the one I will keep and recommend. Slow start, followed by an excellent balance of research, anecdotes and practical suggestions. Very positive, reassuring approach that might save the reader the cost of sleep clinics and their doctors. Thorough but quick read. Suggestions easy to implement and have helped this reader. Lack of index made less critical by descripters in the table of contents. Sources and suggested reading section provides many additonal sources/resources.

Rating:
Summary: The cure for insomnia
Review: The first night after I picked up this book I slept 8 hours straight. That was after 2 weeks of 4-hour nights, sometimes punching the mattress because I was so tired yet I couldn't sleep. I tried Tylenol PM and NyQuil, but they made me feel horrible the next day. I spoke with a friend of mine who is a physician's assistant, but she had no good advice. I even went to websites like WebMD and got no help. In fact, the information online was terribly depressing because it said "anxiety about not being able to sleep can exacerbate insomnia", but it offered no solutions to deal with this anxiety, and that just made me more anxious! That was my main problem - I was anxious about not being able to sleep, and that just made things worse.

In contrast, this book precisely addressed the symptoms of insomnia I was experiencing and offered real solutions to the problem. And after weeks of trying to find answers and getting nowhere, the relief this book brought was downright tear-jerking. Dr. Jacobs has put together a comprehensive, easy to read book that focuses on the major causes of insomnia, including anxiety, negative sleep thoughts, and negative sleep patterns. His information is based on years of scientific research (we're not talking new-age, herbal, hollistic, astrological, etc here) and his system boasts an incredible 100% success rate (i.e., all participants have seen positive results in one form or another). He breaks down the myths that make insomnia sufferers feel as if something is mentally wrong with them, and he focuses instead on defining, in great detail, what happens when you actually sleep. His relaxation techniques really work, as does his sleep diary, and it is all done in a way that ultimately makes you feel in control of the quality and the quantity of your sleep.

I only read about the 1st 1/2 of this book, but it was enough to bring me back to a normal sleep pattern and to help me deal with bad sleep in the future. I have already recommended it to my P.A. friend and I gush about it whenever anyone tells me they have trouble sleeping. BTW, this is my first book review, ever. I owe at least this much in thanks to Dr. Jacobs.

Rating:
Summary: This book provides a cure for chronic insomnia
Review: This book is the best book I have read on sleep. In particular it addresses long term chronic insomnia very well and provides a way to end this hellish nightmare. The treatment of sleeping pills is especially insightful. While reading, I found myself nodding my head in agreement constantly, realizing that here was a sleep professional who actually understood the problem so many people face in isolation. What a welcome relief from others who provide no solutions. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: An absolute must-buy for long-time insomnia sufferers!!
Review: This book is wonderful--I finished it in 2 days! It is a very easy-to-read explanation of the physiology of sleep, why we lose it, and how we can get it back. The techniques Dr. Jacobs describes to stop insomnia are easy to follow (although they do take patience and persistence) and really make sense. And, best of all, this program works!!! I suffered from insomnia for over 16 years, and I never thought I would be free of endless days and nights worrying about sleep. To my amazement, the night following the day I started reading the book, I fell asleep within 10 minutes! Unheard of for me! And, I wasn't even employing any of the techniques suggested in the book yet. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to all insomniacs who suffer from constant anxiety about sleeping as I did, and wish you endless nights of restful sleep!

Rating:
Summary: Hope for Insomniacs
Review: This book was simply the best I have read on insomnia. I thought I was doing everything right to promote sleep, until I read this book and saw how I was sabotaging my sleep. It explained things better than my sleep therapist could. After 17 years of feeling hopeless from insomnia I have my life back due to this book. You won't be disappointed.