Chapter 6. States of Consciousness

Aria’s Story (Part 2)

Aria Presents with Severe Insomnia … Continued

Jessica Motherwell McFarlane

Approximate reading time: 3 minutes

Let’s revisit the clinical case introduced at the beginning of this chapter, where Aria struggled with severe insomnia, and Rohan, her intern, applied his knowledge and compassion. Over the weeks, they’ve implemented a step-by-step, evidence-based approach to address her insomnia. Here’s a closer look at Rohan’s treatment plan, which his supervising team approved, with each step backed by scientific evidence and assessed for feasibility for Aria (see Supplement SC.22 for Rohan’s references and Supplement SC.23 for Rohan’s session notes).

Treatment Plan for Aria’s Insomnia by Rohan (Intern)

  1. Sleep Hygiene Education: Establish a consistent sleep schedule and a conducive sleep environment. Very Easy.
  2. Environmental Adjustments: Make the sleep environment more restful. Easy.
  3. Electronic Device Management: Limit exposure to blue light before bedtime. Moderately Easy.
  4. Dietary Adjustments: Optimize diet for better sleep. Moderate.
  5. Exercise Plan: Include moderate aerobic exercise. Moderately Challenging.
  6. Napping Management: Regulate napping habits. Moderately Challenging.
  7. Stress Management Techniques: Use mindfulness to reduce stress. Challenging.
  8. Caffeine and Energy Drink Reduction: Decrease caffeine intake. More Challenging.
  9. Alcohol and Cannabis Use Reduction: Cut down on alcohol and cannabis. Quite Challenging.
  10. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): Engage in CBT-I with a psychologist. Most Challenging.
  11. Regular Follow-ups: Monitor progress and make necessary adjustments. Easiest.

Aria’s journey from battling severe insomnia to showing noticeable improvement is a testament to the effectiveness of a well-structured treatment plan. Rohan’s sympathetic and knowledgeable guidance, which aided in her progress, emphasises the value of combining theoretical knowledge with practical tactics. See Supplement SC.24 for Aria’s reflections on her progress in overcoming insomnia.

Rohan’s practicum ends with commendations for his evidence-based approach and empathetic care (see Supplement SC.25 to read Rohan’s supervisor’s feedback on his clinical work with Aria). Aria’s success story not only marks her triumph over insomnia but also emphasises the value of a scientific and compassionate approach to treatment.

Conclusion: Lessons from Aria and Rohan’s Story

Aria and Rohan’s journey illustrates the critical role of evidence-based treatment in overcoming insomnia. From troubling sleepless nights to the reestablishment of restful sleep, their story is instructive for anyone struggling with similar challenges. It underscores the transformative potential of evidence-informed and compassionate care.

This chapter, including Aria’s case study, has taken us through the complexities of consciousness. Remember, your own experiences with various states of consciousness can significantly influence your well-being. How might you apply the insights from this chapter to inform your own struggles with sleep problems and choose practices that enhance your own health and wellness?

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Aria’s Story (Part 2) Copyright © 2024 by Jessica Motherwell McFarlane is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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