Anna hasn't slept in months. Stranded on a Hebridean island with two small children, she struggles to write or think without a room of her own. When her son finds a baby's skeleton buried in the garden, Anna must confront the island's troubled past, while finding a way to live with the complex demands of motherhood.

We think of sleep as a waste of time. A time when we are literally doing nothing. Yet every human on the planet spends several hours each day asleep. We are not alone. Almost every animal enjoys some form of sleep. The idea that millions of years of evolution resulted in this ability for no reason at all is ludicrous. When we are asleep we are not dormant. In fact, it is the busiest time of the day. For the past sixty years, a small number of scientists have dedicated their lives to studying the sleeping mind. This work has resulted in a series of remarkable techniques that can help people to recognize dangerous levels of sleep deprivation, get a great night's sleep, avoid nightmares, learn in their sleep, take productive power naps, decode dreams, and create a perfect nocturnal fantasy. Until now, these discoveries have been restricted to academic journals and University conferences. Professor Richard Wiseman journeys deep into this dark world and meets the vampire-like scientists who go to work when everyone else is heading for bed. Carrying out his own nocturnal mass participation studies along the way, Wiseman presents the definitive guide to the surprising new science of sleep and dreaming. For years the self-development movement has focused on improving people's waking lives. It is now time for us all to unlock that missing third of our days.

Clinical practice related to sleep problems and sleep disorders has been expanding rapidly in the last few years, but scientific research is not keeping pace. Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome are three examples of very common disorders for which we have little biological information. This new book cuts across a variety of medical disciplines such as neurology, pulmonology, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, psychology, otolaryngology, and nursing, as well as other medical practices with an interest in the management of sleep pathology. This area of research is not limited to very young and old patientsâ€"sleep disorders reach across all ages and ethnicities. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation presents a structured analysis that explores the following: Improving awareness among the general public and health care professionals. Increasing investment in interdisciplinary somnology and sleep medicine research training and mentoring activities. Validating and developing new and existing technologies for diagnosis and treatment. This book will be of interest to those looking to learn more about the enormous public health burden of sleep disorders and sleep deprivation and the strikingly limited capacity of the health care enterprise to identify and treat the majority of individuals suffering from sleep problems.

Sleep and Aging provides a unique and timely collection of review articles that cover the gamut of basic and clinical aspects of sleep and the abnormalities in sleep associated with aging and neurological disorders that occur during aging. From the evolutionary basis of sleep and its normal functions in processes such as learning and memory, to considerations of the roles of sleep abnormalities in neurological disorders such as depression, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, the chapters are written by experts in the field. Several chapters focus on signalling pathways involved in sleep regulation and abnormalities in sleep, including those activated by serotonin and BDNF. Basic and clinical research on insomnia, sleep apnea and other disorders of sleep, are covered thus providing students and scientists at all levels with a valuable source of information to advance their understanding of this important topic in aging, biology and medicine. The circuits in the brain involved in sleep regulation, their neurochemistry, how they are altered in disorders of sleep and current clinical treatments of various sleep disorders are reviewed. The important role of sleep disturbances in neurodegenerative disorders is described and research in this particular area is leading to a better understanding of the relationships between synaptic plasticity, neuronal degeneration and the clinical manifestations of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and depression. This book is a must for scientists, as well as non-scientists, who are interested in the neurobiology of aging, sleep and neurodegenerative disorders.

The go-to guide to getting infants and toddlers to fall and stay asleep, completely revised and updated Kim West, LCSW-C, known to her clients as The Sleep Lady®, has developed an alternative and effective approach to helping children learn to gently put themselves to sleep without letting them "cry it out" -- an option that is not comfortable for many parents. Essential reading for any tired parent, or any expectant parent who wants to avoid the pitfalls of sleeplessness, Good Night, Sleep Tight offers a practical, easy-to-follow remedy that will work for all families in need of nights of peaceful slumber! New material and updates include: New yoga recommendations Updated information for parents of young infants Expanded information on nighttime potty training Ending co-sleeping Sleep training for twins and multiples

There is a growing concern in relation to the problem of insufficient sleep, particularly in the United States. In the early 1990s a Congressionally mandated commission noted that insufficient sleep is a major contributor to catastrophic events, such as Chernobyl and the Exxon Valdez, as well as personal tragedies, such as automobile accidents. Adolescents appear to be among the most sleep-deprived populations in our society, though they are rarely included in sleep assessments. This book explores the genesis and development of sleep patterns in adolescents. It examines biological and cultural factors that influence sleep patterns, presents risks associated with lack of sleep, and reveals the effects of environmental factors such as work and school schedules on sleep. Adolescent Sleep Patterns will appeal to psychologists and sociologists of adolescence who have not yet considered the important role of sleep in the lives of our youth.

Provides advice on all aspects of infant care from the members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, discussing such topics as behavior, growth, immunizations, and safety.

The first source on insomnia treatment since the advancement of newer drug options and cognitive behavioral therapies, Insomnia: Diagnosis and Treatment presents a comprehensive reference on the complications, evaluation, and treatment of insomnia. Ideal for sleep medicine specialists, psychiatrists, and neurologists, this text uses a multi-discipl

An authoritative and accessible guide to what happens when we shut our eyes at night We spend a third of our lives in bed, but how much do we really understand about how sleep affects us? In the past forty years, scientists have discovered that our sleep (or lack of it) can affect nearly every aspect of our waking lives. Poor sleep could be a sign of a disease, the result of a vitamin or iron deficiency, or the cause of numerous other problems, both sleeping and waking. Yet many people, even medical personnel, are unaware of the dangers of poor sleep. Enter Dr. Meir Kryger, a world authority on the science of sleep, with a comprehensive guide to the mysteries of slumber that combines detailed case studies, helpful tables, illustrations, and pragmatic advice. Everyone needs a good night’s sleep, and many of us will experience some difficulty sleeping or staying awake over the course of our lifetimes (or know someone who does). Kryger’s comprehensive text is a much-needed resource for insomniacs; for those who snore, can’t stay awake, or experience disturbing dreams; and for the simply curious. Uniquely wide ranging, The Mystery of Sleep is more than a handbook; it is a guide to the world of sleep and the mysterious disorders that affect it.