About this app

Sleep Restore is uniquely designed for sufferers of stress-related insomnia, (eg; PTSD, chronic pain, attachment problems). Insomnia is one of the most common effects of severe stress affecting over 80% of PTSD sufferers, over 50% of chronic pain sufferers and adults with attachment problems. Attachment is a psychological term for the degree of security that a person feels in their primary relationships (parents, family, partners). Secure attachment is vital for the healthy psychological development of human beings, as well as physical health. Attachment problems can be caused by physical or emotional abuse, neglect and family violence or instability. People with attachment problems tend to be more stressed physically, even though they might outwardly appear to be in control. Regardless of the cause, stress is so much a cause of insomnia that experts no longer regard insomnia as a sleep disorder but rather a stress disorder. The Sleep Restore app was thus designed to address insomnia as a stress-related problem.

The app comprises 6 – 18 (premium version) 20-minute sessions combining evocative music and suggestions and bilateral stimulation (bls). Bls is a treatment element of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) a trauma therapy method which has  been found to decrease brain activity associated with worry and physical tension associated with stress. EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is a therapy method which uses a combination of focused attention and bilateral eye movements or audio tones to change the emotional component of dysfunctionally stored memories. In the treatment of PTSD and a range of other disorders the method seems to stimulate a more rapid and natural decrease in symptoms, For more information see; www.emdria.site-ym.com

EMDR also has been found to facilitate improved sleep in PTSD sufferers. The bls component of EMDR has also been found to stimulate a synchronization of all cortical activity in the delta range. Delta brain wave activity is associated with the deep restful sleep or REM sleep.

In addressing the causes of stress-related insomnia, bls de-activates your stress response by refocusing your attention long enough for your brain to reset itself. There are various theories about how this works but here is my favourite. Lets say you are having trouble falling asleep because you are feeling worried or tense. Your brain is also in a worried and tense state. Now lets say your brain detects an outside stimuli it cannot identify (bls). A circuit known as the orienting response gets activated, its job is to figure out the “what” and “where” of that noise. Initially your brain activity actually increases (following commencement of the bls) as your brain enter an alert state. After about 30 seconds your brain “realizes” that whatever that sound is it isn’t a sabre-toothed tiger and your brain activity goes back to normal. Except that as long as the bls is present, your brain stays switched off. This soon replaces the tension and worry that preceded it and sleep becomes possible. Whats special about bls? The difference between bls and say, soothing rain sounds or music is that your brain does not habituate to bls – it does not get bored with it. Rain sounds are nice but it doesn’t take long for an anxious brain to conclude that they’re just rains sounds and go back to being tense or worried. This doesn’t happen with bls because to your nervous system it remains a mysterious sound that appears to moving backwards and forwards – there is no way your brain is going to ignore that. The end result is a de-activation of the worry and physical tension that inhibit sleep, allowing your brain activity to enter a normal state and the restoration of a more normal sleep pattern. And it all happens naturally and often quite quickly, just by harnessing this one innate brain capacity. A capacity by the way that does not require conscious thought or attention.

The premium version of the app contains 18 sessions of music, guided meditations, natures sounds and bls to help you get to sleep.

The sessions have been separated into two selections ‘Getting to sleep’ and Getting back to sleep’ (these are the two primary forms of insomnia).

Within these selections are sessions designed to decrease tension and sessions designed to decrease worry, the two main effects of stress which inhibit sleepo.

Your responses to the short sleep questionnaire will generate recommendations regarding which sessions are most likely to assist you. But you will no doubt find your own favourites.

You can also use the sleep questionnaire to monitor your progress. If you complete it monthly for two months or until your insomnia is significantly improved, whichever comes first you will be able to tell how much better you are getting. You will also receive a complimentary bonus track after you have completed the questionnaire 3 times at the recommended monthly interval. Please note your responses may be stored and used for research purposes, free of any identifying data.

After using the app a few times and seeing which session work best for you, you can also create your own playlist, or get the app to repeat sessions you particularly like

If your responses indicate that you might be suffering from a serious sleep disorder (eg; sleep apnea, Restless Leg syndrome) and you need additional professional help, you will be advised of this.

References

Basta M, Chrousos G, Vuela-Bueno A et al (2007) Chronic Insomnia and Stress System Sleep Med Clin. 2007 June: 2(2) 279-291

Pagani M. Benedikt L., Landin-Romero R., et al (2017)  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Slow Wave Sleep: A Putative mechanism of action. Frontiers in Psychology. Vol 8. Art.no 1935, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg,2017.01935

Roboni Fabiana, Alonso D, Tufik Sergio, Suchecki Deborah (2014) Improvement of mood and sleep alterations in post traumatic stress disorder patients by eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience Vol 8 (209) p 1-10

Stickgold, R. (2002). EMDR: A putative neurobiological mechanism of action. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 61-75.