Abstract
We spend approximately one-third of our lives asleep. This is not, of course, constant throughout our life span since infants sleep for considerably more and the amount of time spent asleep then reduces with age. There are also wide individual differences at all age levels in the time spent sleeping. The range extends from the individual who is apparently quite happy if he has five to six hours sleep per day to the individual who appears to need at least twice this amount if he is to avoid tiredness and even some feeling of deterioration in performance and general efficiency.
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References
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Annotated reading
Oswald, I. (1976) Sleep. Harmondsworth: Penguin. This is a very useful and comprehensive introduction to the study of sleep. It discusses methodology, the relationship between sleep and psychological functioning, dreaming, hypnosis, drug effects and also some aspects of sleep problems. At the undergraduate level, this is probably the most readable text which is available.
Rachman, S.J. and Philips, C. (1978) Sleep disorders. In S.J. Rachman and C. Philips (eds), Psychology and Medicine. Harmondsworth: Penguin. Covers much the same ground as this chapter, but provides a readable and useful alternative viewpoint for students,
Lairy, C.G. and Salzarulo, P. (eds) (1978) The Experimental Study of Human Sleep: Methodological problems, Oxford: Elsevier Scientific. The papers in this book were delivered at an international symposium held in 1974. This is not recommended as an introductory text, but is suitable for postgraduates and those with a special interest in the scientific study of sleep. Among the topics considered are the problems associated with objective investigation, theoretical models, the relationship between animal and human studies, relationships between experimental and clinical research, dreaming and problems of sleeping.
Williams, R.L. and Karacan, I. (1978) Sleep Disorders, Diagnosis and Treatment. New York: Wiley Medical. This book is a collection of original reviews of sleep disorders. The chapters discuss the identification, assessment, aetiology and management of both primary and secondary (or symptomatic) sleep problems; in addition to general discussions and reviews, many practical issues are also considered so that the text has many attractions for a clinical readership.
Crisp, A.H. and Stonehill, E. (1976) Sleep, Nutrition and Mood. New York: Wiley. The authors both describe and review a body of information on the relationships between sleep, activity level, nutrition and mood. The book will be most interesting to readers who have some clinical experience, and especially to advanced trainees and doctors with a special interest in psychological medicine. Many of the topics considered are, however, of general relevance; for instance, there are discussions of methodology and of the relationship between sleep and psychological disorders.
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© 1981 The British Psychological Society
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Griffiths, D. (1981). Insomnia. In: Psychology and Medicine. Psychology for Professional Groups. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-16594-0_22
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-16594-0_22
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
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