I’m writing a character with insomnia, and I sometimes refer to her as being tired or walking around like a zombie, but I’m not sure if this is accurate. Do you have any tips for how to more accurately write a character with this illness?
Insomnia takes a lot out of you. It sort of makes life feel like a giant blur and can cause a lot of problems. If you’ve ever had to go through a day without much sleep, you’ll know what it feels like. However, long-term insomnia can be much worse.
A character with insomnia will have difficulty concentrating and may doze off, but most likely won’t have the ability to take naps. Back when I had insomnia in high school, I would get so tired my eyes would burn, but I couldn’t fall asleep no matter how tired I was. And yes, walking around like a zombie is accurate because when you have insomnia, you end up going through daily routines without realizing you’re doing it. Your body still works, but your brain doesn’t register as much as it used to.
People with insomnia are more likely to get sick because their immune systems and their bodies are weaker without sleep. They also make more mistakes than others, but may not realize it. Their reactions are slower, their memory weakens (the damage left me with mild short term memory problems), and irritability rises.
When it comes to sleeping, people with insomnia can get restless and irritable if they can’t fall asleep. Some people have to get up and walk around or they get their work done because they know they can’t sleep anyway. Sometimes they’ll just stay in bed for hours even though they can’t fall asleep. Some people wake up and can’t get back to sleep and thus are more tired at night than they are in the mornings.
Characteristics of an Insomniac
Insomnia in General Practice
Effects of Insomnia on Body and Mind
Writing Reference: Insomnia
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