Chapter Text
[Saturday September 5th, 2009]
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/05/2009, 17:32
Subject: Sleeping Trouble
Good afternoon,
I saw your forum post on sleep deprivation and wanted to share my opinion as someone who has recently experienced similar issues. What helped me personally was melatonin - an obvious, but effective solution. Magnesium supplements can also improve sleep, however there are also a number of non-medicinal options that could help you.
Establishing and sticking to a regular sleeping routine is a good place to start. Going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day creates a routine that your body recognises, making it easier for you to fall asleep at that time. Additionally, incorporating some ‘wind-down’ time into your routine before bed can also help you to relax, which in turn may make falling asleep easier - I personally recommend dedicating 30 minutes or more to reading a book before going to sleep, but taking a bath is an equally effective, though less intellectually-stimulating, option.
If you are an avid coffee drinker like myself, you may want to cut back on your general caffeine intake as this can worsen sleep quality. You also shouldn’t consume any caffeine at least six hours before going to bed.
In your post, you mentioned having to take multiple naps throughout the day. This is likely playing a part in your inability to sleep at night. If you can, it would be beneficial for you to cut back on these naps, or cut them out entirely.
As a final suggestion, I feel it goes without saying that if your sleep does not improve - or if it continues to worsen - then you should contact your doctor. I hope my suggestions may be of some use to you.
Best wishes,
Dr. Spencer Reid (PhD)
[Sunday September 6th, 2009]
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 01:53
Subject: re: Sleeping Trouble
Good morning,
Thank you so much! I was surprised to see someone respond to my two month old post, but it’s greatly appreciated. Most of your suggestions are ones I’ve already tried and, unfortunately, they haven’t been particularly effective - I will be looking into magnesium supplements, though.
I’m aware that, on paper, cutting out naps during the day would probably help me, but I don’t think that’s a viable option for me right now. If it weren’t for my naps, I doubt I’d be able to function. I will however be substituting a lot of my coffees for decaf as per your request.
You may be glad to hear that I usually spend a good hour or two reading before I try to sleep. If I’m being honest, I spend most of my days either reading or writing, so I have the ‘intellectual stimulation’ thing down - maybe a nice warm bath is what I’ve been needing, after all.
Again, thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. And don’t worry, I’m in regular contact with my doctor; I’m somewhat of a frequent flyer when it comes to medical appointments.
Many thanks,
(y/n) (l/n)
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 09:22
Subject: re: re: Sleeping Trouble
Good morning!
It’s good that you’ll be looking into taking magnesium supplements. They’re not a magical cure, but they may help you - and I hope they do. I know firsthand how detrimental sleep deprivation can be, though I’m sure you don’t need me telling you that.
Substituting your coffees for decaf is a good idea! Especially if you primarily drink coffee for the taste rather than for the caffeine content. And as for the naps; if you think it will affect you too much, then you shouldn’t cut them out. Not entirely, at least. I don’t know exactly how many naps you’re taking per day, but you should probably stick to just one. Generally the best time for a nap is between 1pm and 3pm, so taking one then shouldn’t affect your sleep too much.
I am in fact glad to hear that you’re an avid reader. What books do you read? Additionally - a frequent flyer? If it’s not too personal, may I ask why you have so many medical appointments?
Best wishes,
Dr. Spencer Reid (PhD)
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 14:14
Subject: re: re: re: Sleeping Trouble
Good afternoon! :)
I just had my last caffeinated coffee of the day…pray for me.
There’s a rather extensive list of reasons why I have medical appointments so often. I’m not exactly the pinnacle of health but my biggest issue at the moment is chronic fatigue (ME/CFS). It’s also partly to blame for my sleeping trouble, though I’m sure I don’t have to explain it to you - you’re the doctor, after all.
As far as books go, I’ll read just about anything if it can provide a good enough distraction. If we’re talking all-time favourites then I’m a sucker for literally anything Russian, preferably 1800s. Dostoevsky in particular has my heart. I know that he’s, like, everyone’s favourite author, but I have a soft spot for him.
One nap per day..? Just one? I mean, I’ll try, but I make no promises (see: CFS). I’ve not long woken up, so the early-afternoon nap is off the table for today, sorry doc. It’s a Sunday, so I can just lounge around all day - I’ll try to push through the day without napping, we’ll see.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
(y/n) (l/n) :)
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 14:36
Subject: re: re: re: re: Sleeping Trouble
Good afternoon - or morning?
I’m not going to ask what time you went to sleep.
I’m afraid I’m not the kind of doctor you think I am. Whilst I do have multiple PhDs, none of them are of the medical kind. I am familiar with ME/CFS though, but I don’t know enough to be able to give you any advice - that should be reserved for your actual doctor.
Dostoevsky is ‘everyone’s favourite author’ for a reason! He wouldn’t be so renowned if his works weren’t brilliant - what’s your favourite? Personally I’m a fan of The Gambler, but The Brothers Karamazov is, of course, another great novel.
Let me know if you make it through the day nap-free, I’m rooting for you.
Spencer
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 15:04
Subject: Sleeping Trouble
Gooooood afternoon!
I deleted the re’s. It was getting excessive.
What do you mean I’m not talking to some cool, mysterious, ultra-talented surgeon? I thought I hit the jackpot… sigh. Catfishing aside, multiple PhDs is impressive, I’ll admit - what are they in?
My favourite Dostoevsky novel…hmm… If I had to pick one, it would be The Idiot. I’ve read it more times than I can count. Notes From Underground is a close second though, I just wish it were longer. Crime and Punishment is amazing, too. All of them are. I could talk for days about Dostoevsky, about Russian literature in general - that’s how I ended up with an MA in Literature LOL.
No naps so far! Granted I’ve only been awake for an hour and a half. I’ll keep you posted.
(y/n) :)
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 15:27
Subject: re: Sleeping Trouble
Unfortunately I am not some cool, mysterious, ultra-talented surgeon. Apologies for the catfishing. I have PhDs in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Engineering. I also have BAs in Psychology and Sociology.
The Idiot is a good choice; Myshkin, in all of his Christ-like naivety, is both a loveable character and a cautionary tale - out of curiosity, have you read the original Russian text? Notes from Underground is quite the opposite as far as protagonists go. I wonder who you relate to more…
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 16:12
Subject: Sleeping Trouble
Trying to gauge my personality by asking which character I relate to more? I think I like you. Myshkin is far too pure for me to call him relatable - his whole schtick is that he’s the literal embodiment of goodness, likening myself to him feels like a crime. The Underground Man, on the other hand…
I probably sound like a hypocrite, refusing to relate to Myshkin on account of him being the embodiment of goodness whilst actively relating to the Underground Man AKA nihilism incarnate, but no one’s perfect. I’m well aware that I probably shouldn’t relate to him, and admitting to doing so makes me a target for some harsh psychoanalysis, but it’s not my fault he was literally written to be relatable. Obviously he was also written as a critique of the Russian nihilist movement, and his relatability is key in making readers understand the detrimental consequences of possessing such a mindset, buttttt relatability is relatability nonetheless.
Anyway, I’m rambling - three PhDs?! And two BAs, too. You’re either 60 years old, or an actual genius.
I’ve been toying with the idea of pursuing a PhD in Literature but, given how I can barely leave my apartment at the moment, I won’t be able to do it for a while yet. I wouldn’t be able to afford it, anyway.
I’ve actually read most of Dostoevsky’s works in Russian. I can read pretty well and my writing is passable (self-taught), but I can’t speak the language to save my life T-T that’s my fault for not practicing though LOL.
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 16:28
Subject: re: Sleeping Trouble
Fear not, I’m not 60 years old! I am a genius, though.
You’re right, admitting to relating to the Underground Man does open you up to psychoanalysis, and it just so happens that psychoanalysis makes up the bulk of my job. Admittedly I’ve been profiling you this whole time, subconsciously, it’s a habit; there’s a lot you can tell about someone by the way they write their emails.
If/when your health improves, I strongly recommend pursuing that PhD. They can be stingy with tuition loans and stipends, but if you need someone to write a reference for you then I’m more than happy to do so - I can get you into Caltech if you ask nicely.
Russian can be a difficult language to speak. I struggle with it myself, but one of my coworkers is fluent and she’s been helping me work on my accent; apparently it’s terrible. I’ll always advocate for reading books in their original language, it makes for a far better experience.
Also - I just checked my shelves and figured you’d like this.
Leather-bound, 1921 edition of the Idiot from Hungary!
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 16:57
Subject: Sleeping Trouble
Oh my GODDD it’s beautiful. I need it.
But I won’t let you distract me with gorgeous books. Profiling me? That’s not creepy at all. And what do you do for work that involves psychoanalyzing people? Are you a therapist, or something? Please tell me you’re not a therapist.
Don’t worry, if/when I feel better I’ll look into getting that PhD. Not sure about Caltech though, it seems a bit… tech bro-ey. How about Stanford?
You’re lucky to have a coworker who speaks Russian. I’m a little jealous TBH, I don’t personally know anyone fluent in the language other than my dad - maybe you could pass your coworker’s teachings on to me one day? After you get me into Stanford, of course.
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 17:19
Subject: re: Sleeping Trouble
I’m not a therapist, don’t worry. And I’m not trying to be creepy! I mean it when I say it’s just a habit - I haven’t been actively analyzing your every word. The truth is I work for the FBI. Surprise!
Stanford’s doable. They have a Slavic Languages and Literatures degree, which you may be interested in. As for helping you with your Russian… will I be paid? Or are you expecting me to do this pro bono?
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 18:06
Subject: Sleeping Trouble
FBI? As in the Federal Bureau of Investigation? You have three PhDs, two BAs, and you’re an FBI agent? I thought you were joking when you said you were a genius.
Well, Mr FBI agent, seeing as you’re so privileged and fortunate I do in fact expect the Russian lessons to be done pro bono. It’s for the good of the public (me), no?
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 18:08
Subject: re: Sleeping Trouble
That’s doctor FBI agent to you.
From: [email protected]
Date: 09/06/2009, 18:15
Subject: Sleeping Trouble
Okayy doctor FBI agent. Will the lessons be free or not?