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Developing a health or illness problem
Financial crises
Relationship conflicts
Legal entanglements
Committing a crime
In general, the successful resolution of these problems usually leads to restoration of normal sleep. However, if negative associations and bad sleep habits become established during periods of stress-induced insomnia, these secondary causes can keep one sleeping poorly.
Shift Work
Shift work is a common cause of sleep deprivation for millions of Americans. Working the night shift on a regular basis or working different shifts on a rotating schedule produce challenges and obstacles to maintaining a normal, healthy sleep-wake pattern. This can be especially troublesome for older individuals, since the ability to tolerate shift work (from a sleep perspective) declines significantly with age.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If you are having chronic or recurring sleep problems that don't clear up with the measures discussed in this book, you should consult your health care provider. Also, if you are feeling severely anxious or depressed, or if your sleep is being disturbed by pain or other physical symptoms, professional help is indi-

 
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