SAY GOODNIGHT TO INSOMNIA by Gregg D. Jacobs, Ph. D. (Copyright 2009) is a self-help book based on a 6 week program Dr. Jacobs has developed. Ninety percent of his patients at Massachusetts Genral Hospital report the program has helped them. The rate of success would probably be lower with insomniacs simply using the book. The sub-sub-title states “Proven More Effective Than Sleeping Pills.”
I am trying some parts of the program, and plan to offer the program at a senior center. The book is very repetitive, which is a good feature. Instructions do need to be given over and over again. Repetition is the heart of learning??
The book may be written at too high a level of difficulty for the majority of the population. Enough intelligence to complete junior college may be needed to complete the course as presented.
Insomnia is a health problem of up to half the US population, but he also says that substantial sleep deprivation for long periods of time has no ill effects on general health. Insomniacs have no more cancer, ulcers, lung problems, heart trouble, arthritis etc. than people who sleep well.
Sleeping less than 5.5 hours does impair the functioning of most people. Tests of mental functioning are lower the day after. Bosses and fellow workers notice when someone has had a bad night.
I do recommend the book. I can’t rate it on my usual 1-10 scale. Read my other reviews to see if our tastes agree and my reviews can be useful to you.