Desperately Seeking Snoozin' : The Insomnia Cure from Awake to Zzzzz [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ (Author) "You are not alone..." (more)
Key Phrases: sleep biography, night eating disorder, professional insomniac, Designated Bedtime, Designated Amount of Time, Disorders Center (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Professional insomniac" John Wiedman isn't a doctor; he researched and developed this anti-insomnia program in order to overcome his own sleep problems. His recommendation is that people suffering from severe insomnia should actually restrict their sleeping time to the bare minimum they need to function during the day. Some may find this a difficult prescription, but judging from his readers' testimonials, it can work. Desperately Seeking Snoozin' also includes general information about sleep medications, lifestyle changes that can affect sleep, and how eating late at night can affect the sleep cycle. The book is rounded out with messages from insomnia chat boards on the Internet, which give a sense of the amount of genuine suffering sleep problems can cause. --Ben Kallen

From Library Journal

First-time authors Jacobs and Wiedman bring two complementary and responsible viewpoints to the topic of insomnia. Both have suffered from insomnia, write extensively about the ineffectiveness and sometime harmful consequences of sleeping pills, and suggest starting treatment by keeping a sleep diary. Jacobs, a professor at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Behavioral Medicine Insomnia Program, promotes a drug-free program of healthy sleep patterns based on biofeedback, relaxation, positive thinking, and good sleep habits. Wiedman, a mortgage broker by trade, suggests a very simple three-step plan. While the two books offer similar information, Jacobs's scholarly manner will satisfy those looking for an authoritative answer, while Wiedman's more informal approach will appeal to readers seeking something more personal; Wiedman also includes an excellent annotated list of Internet resources. Both titles are highly recommended for growing consumer health collections, but librarians should be aware that other recent works on this topic by Theresa DiGeronimo, Jodi Mindell, and Gary Zammit (LJ 6/1/97) may already be on the shelves.?Kelly Hensley, East Tennessee State Univ. Lib., Johnson City
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Towering Pines Press Inc; 1st edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966418956
• ISBN-13: 978-0966418958
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #315,144 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #81 in

  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Aging > Sleep Disorders

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the absolute best of it's kind, January 18, 2003

By	"mrsfluffhead" (Madison, WI United States) - See all my reviews

I read this book in a desperate attempt to alleviate the chronic insomnia that had plauged me since the birth of my daughter. It was the only book of it's kind (I purchased two others) that made me feel genuine hopefulness about my condition. Mr. Wiedman does not make light of insomnia - to the contrary, he sincerely understands what you are going through. This man has been through some truly hard times and you can sense his compassion and desire to help others. This is what sets the book apart.
I both laughed and cried while reading this book; it is very cathartic and reads like a novel at times. Although you may find other books containing more technical information, this book will give you that human touch that no other can provide. My insomnia is gone, and even better, I no longer feel anxious about the occasional sleepless night.
THANK YOU Mr. Wiedman, you have helped me tremendously. I cannot reccomend this book highly enough to anyone struggling with sleep.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best sleep book I've read in a long time., February 27, 2000

By	Dreams "dreams" (here) - See all my reviews

"Desperately Seeking Susan" by John Wiedman is a fantastic book, that helped me so immensely. The other books on sleep discuss medications to take, this book discusses how to change your behavior, and to get off medications, eat right, cut down on or stop caffeine, and to go to bed and wake up at the same time each night. It also discusses the following: info on sleep clinics, sleep cycles, self employment, night eating syndrome, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythms disorders, conditionioned insomnia, sleep apnea. There are several chapters on sleep aids, medications, herbs, and the impact of medications on sleep stages. It goes into the long term use of sleeping pills, smoking, depression, excercise, and good health. The next part of the book looks into "the solution", talk of a sleep diary, your medical history, a pre-sleep routine (like bathing before sleep induces sleep), relaxation techniques, trouble staying asleep (that was me along w/rls) and how much one should be committed to follow John Wiedman's book. The end of the book discusses the plan one should follow, sleep clinics, and more on medications. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Thanks John!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DESPERATE NO MORE!, March 1, 2000

By A Customer

After suffering from insomnia for over 25 years, I am finally cured of my miserable affliction thanks to this awesome book. John gave me new hope and a new life. Following years of regular excercise, good diet, sleep clinics, sleep specialists, psychologists, pills, alcohol,and anything else I could imagine...finally, relief for me. After my last trip to the sleep clinic the diagnosis left me in tears. My doctor excitedly told me, "I have great news for you, there's nothing wrong with you!" I am thankful she suggested Desperately Seeking Snoozin'. I read John's book on vacation, Thanksgiving of 1998. This past Thanksgiving I celebrated 1 year of being cured. I have to remind myself of how miserable I used to be. My family still can't believe the new me! I don't want to forget that without this plain comman sense rescue, I would no longer be able to lead a normal life. I had been so sleep deprived I could no longer drive safely, I could no longer do my job! I had no energy to enjoy my family. This illness consumed my life. I felt as though my life would be perfect if only I could sleep. If you can no longer tolerate the miserable life of an insomniac...do yourself a favor and read John's book. You will have a hard time putting it down, and you will be grateful for the rest of your life! Thank-you John, for writing this book, it has been a God Send! Holly