Unrest

In this personal narrative, a neonatologist reflects on the physiological and emotional toll of chronic insomnia following weaning. Despite functioning competently at work, she experienced a profound erosion of optimism, emotional resilience, and capacity for joy. Through vivid metaphor comparing her state to a diver in a murky quarry she captures the weight of clinical suffering without rest. The article explores how sleep deprivation, though invisible, profoundly affects clinicians, patients, and families, particularly in high-stress environments like the NICU. It calls for greater attention to sleep as a critical element of health and healing for both caregivers and patients, advocating small changes in practice to support rest and resilience.

In this personal narrative, a neonatologist reflects on the physiological and emotional toll of chronic insomnia following weaning. Despite functioning competently at work, she experienced a profound erosion of optimism, emotional resilience, and capacity for joy. Through vivid metaphor comparing her state to a diver in a murky quarry she captures the weight of clinical suffering without rest. The article explores how sleep deprivation, though invisible, profoundly affects clinicians, patients, and families, particularly in high-stress environments like the NICU. It calls for greater attention to sleep as a critical element of health and healing for both caregivers and patients, advocating small changes in practice to support rest and resilience.