After a traumatic burglary while she slept, Emily developed chronic insomnia. Her subconscious mind tried protecting her by preventing sleep altogether. During therapy, Emily learned her deep fear was rooted in her mind’s misinterpretation of safety. Understanding this allowed her to overcome insomnia overnight. Emily continued therapy to further conquer her anxiety and reclaim peace of mind, fully enjoying restful nights again.
Issue: The client experienced chronic insomnia after a traumatic burglary.
Symptoms/Triggers/Habits: Constantly exhausted, anxious, and unable to relax, her daily life and relationships deteriorated.
Client's Goal: To sleep normally and regain emotional stability.
Why did this happen? She traced her insomnia back to a burglary where her phone was stolen right beside her as she slept. Her subconscious mind interpreted sleeping as dangerous, preventing her from fully relaxing and causing her insomnia.
Results: Therapy reframed her understanding of the burglary, allowing her mind to perceive her ability to sleep through the event as protective rather than dangerous. Immediately after the session, her insomnia disappeared. Feeling empowered, she then continued therapy to address lingering anxiety and fear regarding her family's safety.