Sunday May 21, 2023

I had a unique experience while reading a client named Rose, 60's, having arrived here from Columbia over 40 years ago.

It's always best to start any reading by discussing a client's medical problems which allows you to understand their emotional and physical history as well as the current issues that shape their lives.

Rose mentioned how little consecutive hours of sleep she gets every night - the longest stretch being four hours.

We went on to discuss emotional factors that affect her such as depression, anxiety, to which she sees a therapist twice a week.

A short time later - as we were discussing other things that affect her life - Rose suddenly closed her eyes and tilted her head back slightly.

I sat there for a moment, continuing to talk, and wondering if her eyes being closed was some sort of expression that people sometimes make when they roll their eyes back to make a point.

After a few seconds I realized that was not the case. Rose had closed her eyes and fallen asleep.

I gently called her name - and she opened her eyes. I asked her if she was aware that she had nodded off and she said no but it was indeed a pattern in her life and family.

I told her about a condition called narcolepsy - writing it down on a piece of paper for her to discuss with her therapist and to research on her own. Narcolepsy is another autoimmune disease that is a result of depression syndromes.

We continued on with the reading to which she was fully engaged.

Another time lapse ... and the same thing happened again. It was as if she was an android whose power source had suddenly been shut off - her brain and body going into stasis or sleep mode.

I stopped the reading again and watched to see if she would wake herself up or if I would have to call out to her again. After about a minute - I realized I would have to wake her up.

Luckily readings are recorded so now she would have the ability to hear what transpired when she "blacked out".

Rose's mother died of Alzheimer's Disease in 2011. We never discussed the possibility of her having the same brain disease because she is seeking professional help both psychological and physical - which would allow her doctors to share their findings.

I don't see her getting Alzheimer's - but my main concern - which I expressed to her - was the fact that she still drives. Wishing Rose a safe journey.

I am well read on sleep disorders and understand - as many do - the brain is a computer in a programmed simulation that runs on binary code and guides one's experience in physical reality.

Many indigenous people believe that reality is a dream to which we are all about to awaken.

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that involves a decreased ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Symptoms often include periods of excessive daytime sleepiness and brief involuntary sleep episodes. About 70% of those affected also experience episodes of sudden loss of muscle strength, known as cataplexy. Narcolepsy paired with cataplexy is evidenced to be an autoimmune disorder. These experiences of cataplexy can be brought on by strong emotions. The exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown, with potentially several causes. In up to 10% of cases, there is a family history of the disorder. Continue reading