Sleepless Nation: Health Story

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, February 11 and March 25
Show 406

"When the lights went out, I couldn't stay asleep and during the day, I couldn't turn my brain off," says Jillian Kelly of Oak Park, Illinois. Nearly 65 million Americans struggle to have a good night's sleep. "A good 15-25% of adults have insomnia," says Dr. Phyllis Zee, Director of the Sleep Disorder Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. "Lack of sleep is a risk factor for the development of depression. These consequences bring people to the Sleep Center," says Dr. Zee. "Not enough sleep affects cognitive abilities such as memory and problem solving. And diabetes, obesity and heart disease are all related to lack of sleep," says Dr. Jodi Mindell, Professor of Psychology at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. At Northwestern's Sleep Disorder Center, patients learn to sleep better through behavioral changes. "Having a good night's sleep can change your life," says Jillian.