3 ms·

I've had chronic insomnia my entire life, and when I do sleep, it is never deep sleep, to the point that I typically retain enough brain activity to lucid dream

I've had chronic insomnia my entire life, and when I do sleep, it is never deep sleep, to the point that I typically retain enough brain activity to lucid dream. Dementia isn't an if for me, it's a when. I also think that they have the causation backwards.

s5300 3y ago
[dead]
loeg 3y ago
> I also think that they have the causation backwards. You think you already have dementia and it is causing poor sleep?
- soulofmischief 3y ago
  The root causes that lead to my lifelong chronic insomnia are likely the same root causes that will lead to dementia. Genetics, environment. And that says nothing of my ADHD and physical disability which lead to not exercising enough and phases of poor dietary choices, it all swirls into a high risk factor for dementia.
  - kylebenzle 3y ago
    It does seem to be like 90% about being privileged enough to spend a lot of time outside in the sun, running around with people in a group. Maybe in the distant future we will revert to this kind of hunter gater life just because this one kinda sucks.
    - soulofmischief 3y ago
      Modern life is literally driving us crazy.
  - loeg 3y ago
    Ah, some third variable.
lukas099 3y ago
> Dementia isn't an if for me, it's a when. This seems like an unbeneficial belief to harbor in oneself.
- soulofmischief 3y ago
  Maybe I'll get lucky! I certainly believe that one's outlook can have huge impact on their overall health, and that focusing on such things might just make it a self-fulfilling prophecy. For now, I seem to check off a majority of the risk factors. Focusing on diet and exercise and just taking things one year at a time.
Clamchop 3y ago
I feel you. In addition, I'm on a nightly hypnotic. Both the insomnia and the marginally effective drugs are implicated in dementia and I'm beginning to make my peace with it. Medicine has no answers and doctors don't usually take it very seriously. I have a plan when it starts to show up, or if the strings of terrible days get to be just a little too long. I'm in such a string right now.
- soulofmischief 3y ago
  I'm sorry you're struggling. Dementia is one thing but a string of terrible days is worth holding out till the end. If you're having trouble making the equation work for you, my advice is to devote yourself to alleviating the pain of others. Works for me anyway. Hopefully it's a universal approach. If you ever want to vent, email's in my bio.

s5300 3y ago

[dead]

loeg 3y ago

> I also think that they have the causation backwards. You think you already have dementia and it is causing poor sleep?

soulofmischief 3y ago
The root causes that lead to my lifelong chronic insomnia are likely the same root causes that will lead to dementia. Genetics, environment. And that says nothing of my ADHD and physical disability which lead to not exercising enough and phases of poor dietary choices, it all swirls into a high risk factor for dementia.
- kylebenzle 3y ago
  It does seem to be like 90% about being privileged enough to spend a lot of time outside in the sun, running around with people in a group. Maybe in the distant future we will revert to this kind of hunter gater life just because this one kinda sucks.
  - soulofmischief 3y ago
    Modern life is literally driving us crazy.
- loeg 3y ago
  Ah, some third variable.

lukas099 3y ago

> Dementia isn't an if for me, it's a when. This seems like an unbeneficial belief to harbor in oneself.

soulofmischief 3y ago
Maybe I'll get lucky! I certainly believe that one's outlook can have huge impact on their overall health, and that focusing on such things might just make it a self-fulfilling prophecy. For now, I seem to check off a majority of the risk factors. Focusing on diet and exercise and just taking things one year at a time.

Clamchop 3y ago

I feel you. In addition, I'm on a nightly hypnotic. Both the insomnia and the marginally effective drugs are implicated in dementia and I'm beginning to make my peace with it. Medicine has no answers and doctors don't usually take it very seriously. I have a plan when it starts to show up, or if the strings of terrible days get to be just a little too long. I'm in such a string right now.

soulofmischief 3y ago
I'm sorry you're struggling. Dementia is one thing but a string of terrible days is worth holding out till the end. If you're having trouble making the equation work for you, my advice is to devote yourself to alleviating the pain of others. Works for me anyway. Hopefully it's a universal approach. If you ever want to vent, email's in my bio.