EP270: Barry Krakow, MD - Life Saving Sleep - New Horizons in Mental Health

Health Coach Conversations

Sleep is a fundamental pillar of health, but millions struggle with chronic sleep issues that can affect their physical and mental well-being. Today’s guest, Dr. Barry Krakow, a board-certified sleep medicine specialist, discusses his new book, Life Saving Sleep: New Horizons in Mental Health, which explores the relationship between sleep quality and mental health. Dr. Barry also discusses treatments for sleep disorders and sleep-related breathing disorders and how health coaches can help people with insomnia.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Dr. Barry’s new book, Life Saving Sleep, and his sleep coaching services

• Underlying causes of insomnia and why sleeping pills often don’t work for long-term treatment

• The reasons why people wake up at night and the common misconceptions about it

• The lack of awareness among doctors and therapists about treating the physical and physiological aspects of insomnia

• Sleep disorders in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and how this can be viewed as post-traumatic sleep disorder

• The importance of sleep quality over sleep quantity

• The benefits and limitations of using sleep trackers

• Alternative treatments for sleep disorders beyond just CPAP machines

• Breakthrough Insomnia Treatment developed by Dr. Krakow and his team

• Sleep breathing disorders and study on CPAP vs. ASV devices

• How health coaches can help clients with sleep issues

Memorable Quotes

“There’s an enormous number of people who have trouble going back to sleep. And here’s the key aspect: What is their awakening? … And in 90% of their awakenings, there was a sleep-breathing event just prior to the awakening.”

“An enormous percentage of insomniacs have this sleep breathing problem... And sleeping pills, by and large, don’t work regularly for the long term.”

“The trouble falling asleep issue is clearly something that looks more psychological. And in many cases, especially in younger people, it is more psychological.”

BIO:

Barry Krakow, MD is a board certified sleep medicine specialist practicing in Savannah, Georgia following a 30 year career conducting research and treating mental health patients with sleep disorders. He developed and pioneered several advanced methods for the treatment of insomnia, nightmares, and sleep apnea, published these findings in top scientific journals, and proved conclusively the necessity to diligently address (without medication) sleep complaints in those suffering anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more. His new book, Life Saving Sleep New Horizons in Mental Health treatment offers a mind-body approach to the art and science of sleep medicine with special emphasis on the relationships between sleep physiology and sleep-related emotion-focused therapy. His new practice involves an innovative sleep health coaching program, accessed at www.barrykrakowmd.com, and you can follow his free Substack newsletter on sleep research updates at www.fastasleep.substack.com. Currently, as Director of Sleep Medicine Services at Gateway Behavioral Health, a full-scale application of sleep medicine interventions will be integrated didactically and clinically into the existing psychiatry residency program to become a core component of training and utilization.

Mentioned In This Episode:

New Horizons in Mental Health Treatment book: www.lifesavingsleep.com

Dr. Barry Krakow’s Website: http://www.barrykrakowmd.com

Dr. Barry’s free Substack newsletter: https://fastasleep.substack.com/

Links to resources:

Health Coach Group Website https://www.thehealthcoachgroup.com/ Use the code HCC50 to save $50 on our website

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