Recently, there's been some research done on the connection between sleep problems with suicidal ideation (behavior) in adults. Below is a blog from the Sleep 2009 meeting in Seattle, a report from the World Psychiatric Association and a Podcast from the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine where this issue is documented further.
The blog from the Sleep 2009 Meeting is located here.
WPA (World Psychiatric Association): Sleep Behavior Linked to Suicidal Behavior in Adults
Recent reports about Michael Jackson's lack of sleep and his request for Propofol have been reported on networks such as ABC, CNN and Fox.
This is what I know for sure:
Michael Jackson was one of the most talented, creative musicians ever - he is and will remain, the king of pop. Part of his talent is attributed to the fact that he has been practicing his craft since he was very young - perhaps too young. With the pressure to excel (whether self-directed or mandated by his father), he had to struggle with coping with the day to day demands on his career - personally, developmentally and psychosocially. Was he traumatized by this? - maybe. How can anyone (especially someone at the age of 6) cope with that kind of pressure?
When someone has trouble coping with an abundance of pressure, they may shut down -= maybe not talk about feelings or emotions they are struggling with. So how does all of the energy of the stress get out? - Easy - it comes out in other ways - writing, art, journaling, musically - some sort of creativity that gets the message across while protecting the internal ego and inner strength of the young person involved.
Think about everyone you know who is this talented who started performing at a young age:
Britney Spears
Prince
Michael Jackson
his sister, Janet Jackson
How do they cope with that amount of pressure and come out okay?
Add to this the demands of a career to always be greater then the previous CD, to do something better, bigger, more challenging.
Add to this 3 - 5 hours of sleep each night
Add to this an inability to have any (or very little) privacy...
What will be Michael Jackson's legacy - and how can we all honor this while even trying to understand the demands on a career and a life?
