I think you've been given some really important information by your sleep specialist. Deep rem sleep is the form which "charges" your battery. It is built up and stored, so that if you aren't getting adequate good rem sleep, your system is going to react in very negative ways in time. Please see rem sleep deficit symptoms.com.
Because it is so vital in heart problem prevention, even in diabetes prevention, and other things important to your well-being, I would see another firm which will administer a sleep test and let you know just how much deep rem sleep you are missing. You need to know that so that you have some choice in how to care for yourself effectively.
Your psychiatrist needs to know that, as well, to gauge medication dosage. Improvement in deep rem sleep may make a big difference in the amount and kind of medications you need to take.
Sleep apnea is far more prevalent than is generally thought and it is so beneficial to take continuous positive airflow pressure if you
need it for healthy mental processing. Even young people may have problems with it; it is not strictly an older person's sleep deficit condition.
Sorry you've had the problems, Jamie.
I.G.
Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 3/8/2012 2:43:05 AM (GMT-7)