I have a complex relationship with sleep. As a young child, before being diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and OCD, I noticed I had patterns of movements and thoughts that felt unnatural. My days were spent playing sports and staying busy, and so I finally had stillness in the time period after I went to bed. This is when the thinking and analyzing began also when I noticed my tics and my inability to control them. I would get so frustrated by my body moving out of my control. I would replay previous scenes in my mind over and over again to try to determine what I could have said/done differently. Of course, I had to predict future events, how kids might react to a tic or odd behavior, and what I could do to avoid any form of confrontation. I obsessed and planned and imagined ways I could be more accepted. This led to hours of time awake, perseverating on so many things that felt like they were out of my control. I finally was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and I tried multiple medications. Many of these medications are linked to insomnia. Additionally, as I grew older, the tics got worse, sleep/wake cycles were interrupted by long after-school naps due to so much energy expended trying to hide my tics in the classroom, I experienced enuresis from excessive swings of fatigue, and the social pressures and desire for being liked by others continued to escalate. I spent countless hours awake in bed thinking about solutions to these dilemmas.
As I grew older and matured, some of the tics decreased, but the obsessions and worries continued to amplify. By this point, I fully believed the idea that I was and would always be a terrible sleeper. I maintained my night owl lifestyle and told myself that I just didn’t need as much sleep as others. These patterns continued into adulthood, and my use of a variety of substances and other social behaviors filled the hours of sleepless nights. I saw myself as a person that never slowed down.
Even as a parent and career-minded professional, my potential sleep time was occupied by excessive time trying to figure things out and worrying about potential stressors. Sleep is complicated and since it is something we are supposed to do every night, I figured I would just eventually need to get my act together. For decades, I used some form of substance or sleep-dalaying activity to subconsciously get my body to slow down (thanks a lot, Netflix).
I never stopped caring about my work, my kids, and my life. “Highly passionate” is a great way to describe me. My health suffered, relationships suffered, and I got to a point where I couldn't physically and mentally keep up with my insomnia. Additionally, as an OT, I began to pay attention to the profound impacts insomnia was having on my clients. I knew I needed to take action, and I began reading about circadian rhythms, sleep treatments, and the abundance of connections that sleep has on health. I got CBT-I training and used myself as a test client. Treatment worked … quickly! I noticed changes that went so far beyond just the number of hours I slept each night. I was more patient, especially as a Dad and husband. I was able to remember more details, I was sharper with my recall, and I became so much better at making rational decisions that honored my body. I lost weight and had more energy for exercise. I felt so strong about the power of this system that I started Mooney Wellness. I was able to use my platform to make major differences in people’s lives, and I got to be a part of their story. I knew I needed to complete this process by making this practice part of my full-time offering.
I have dedicated my 24 year career as an OT to working and connecting with others, and I was born with a passion for helping others. I am gifted at finding a balance that tailors to the human being I am working with, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every person needs a plan that fits them. I will provide science-based information, structure, and accountability to help you through this process. I also understand that you are unique and change can be very difficult.
If you find this information to be inspirational, please consider scheduling a discovery call.
