---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In general, there are patients with…"
description: "\"In general, there are patients with insomnia who - many patients with insomnia will actually over report the lack of sleep that they are getting.\" — Sh..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/shelby-harris-10520_insomnia_in-general-there-are-patients-with-insom_1767413.jpg"
---

#  In general, there are patients with insomnia who - many…

![“In general, there are patients with insomnia who - many patients with insomnia will actually over report the lack of sleep that they are getting.” quote by Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/shelby-harris-10520_insomnia_in-general-there-are-patients-with-insom_1767413.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/shelby-harris-10520_insomnia_in-general-there-are-patients-with-insom_1767413.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/shelby-harris-10520_insomnia_in-general-there-are-patients-with-insom_1767413.jpg)

> “In general, there are patients with insomnia who - many patients with insomnia will actually over report the lack of sleep that they are getting.”

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Patients often exaggerate how little they sleep, leading to inaccurate self‑reports.

**In simple terms:** Insomnia sufferers may overstate lack of sleep.

Key Takeaway

Check objective sleep data when possible.

Themes

health self‑assessment sleep perception

Mood

concerned analytical

Type

clinical educational

When to use this quote

- clinical evaluation
- patient counseling
- research studies
- sleep clinics

Key Concepts

cognitive bias self‑reporting sleep hygiene

Questions to Reflect On

- How might over‑reporting affect treatment?
- What tools improve sleep measurement?

A Different Perspective

Self‑reports can be influenced by anxiety or memory errors.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Insomnia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insomnia/) [Lack of sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lack-of-sleep/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patience/) [Reports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reports/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/)

## Related quotes

> [So, sleep deprivation, and sometimes an insomnia, which is a little bit of a different form, but just getting a lack of sleep, can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-sleep-deprivation-and-sometimes-an-insomnia-which-is-a-little-bit/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [We've looked at sleep diaries of patients with insomnia, and they'll say that they don't sleep for one or two days. And the body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/we-ve-looked-at-sleep-diaries-of-patients-with-insomnia-and-they-ll/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [If you cant sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. Its the worry that gets you, not the lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-cant-sleep-then-get-up-and-do-something-instead-of-lying-there/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

> [At first, I could lie about my lack of sleep and she'd fall for it, but she started suspecting insomnia when I began seeing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/at-first-i-could-lie-about-my-lack-of-sleep-and-she-d-fall-for-it-but/)

[Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/)

> [Lack of sleep can lead to an increased desire for sex and substance abuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/lack-of-sleep-can-lead-to-an-increased-desire-for-sex-and-substance/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [Lack of sleep greatly impairs your ability to make good decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/lack-of-sleep-greatly-impairs-your-ability-to-make-good-decisions/)

[Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/)

> [Obviously, I'm suffering from lack of sleep, but it truly is a blessing to be a mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-lagat/obviously-i-m-suffering-from-lack-of-sleep-but-it-truly-is-a-blessing/)

[Bernard Lagat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-lagat/)

> [“It is worry, not problems, that causes a lack of sleep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genieve-dawkins/it-is-worry-not-problems-that-causes-a-lack-of-sleep/)

[Genieve Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genieve-dawkins/)

> [Lack of sleep and hunger are the two top most common causes of mood swings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lack-of-sleep-and-hunger-are-the-two-top-most-common-causes-of-mood/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Thirst will parch your tongue and your body will waste through lack of sleep ere you can describe in words that which painting instantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/thirst-will-parch-your-tongue-and-your-body-will-waste-through-lack/)

[Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/)

> [The two worst enemies of comedy are lack of sleep and not having had a decent meal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bailey/the-two-worst-enemies-of-comedy-are-lack-of-sleep-and-not-having-had/)

[Bill Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bailey/)

> [Lack of sleep is only bad if you have to drive, or think, or talk, or move.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/lack-of-sleep-is-only-bad-if-you-have-to-drive-or-think-or-talk-or/)

[Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/)

> [People underestimate the impact of lack of sleep; not only will the intensity of your workouts suffer, but you are likely to crave sugary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wicks/people-underestimate-the-impact-of-lack-of-sleep-not-only-will-the/)

[Joe Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wicks/)

> [“No real reason for the lack of sleep, it’s a disadvantage of rotating shifts that every so often your body clock just throws up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-reynolds/no-real-reason-for-the-lack-of-sleep-it-s-a-disadvantage-of-rotating/)

[Tom Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-reynolds/)

> [If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-can-t-sleep-then-get-up-and-do-something-instead-of-lying/)

[Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/)

## More by Shelby Harris

> [ When they \[people with insomnia\] start worrying about not sleeping, I'll say, "Say the mantra to myself; if I don't sleep tonight, I'll likely… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/when-they-people-with-insomnia-start-worrying-about-not-sleeping-i-ll/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [If there's a lot of fear that's going on, if there's a lot of anxiety, it's manifesting itself in your nocturnal world so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/if-there-s-a-lot-of-fear-that-s-going-on-if-there-s-a-lot-of-anxiety/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [We try not using medications initially, and we use something called behavioral therapy for insomnia. This changes behaviors people do in bed, none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/we-try-not-using-medications-initially-and-we-use-something-called/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [And you cycle throughout so that you do about five to six cycles throughout the night. And we spend more time in REM later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/and-you-cycle-throughout-so-that-you-do-about-five-to-six-cycles/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [Night terrors are very different from nightmares. A lot of people will think they're the same, but they're really not. Night terrors - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/night-terrors-are-very-different-from-nightmares-a-lot-of-people-will/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [ We're not really sure why it \[broken circadian rhythm\] continues, but when they become adults, we usually have to treat it because many people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/we-re-not-really-sure-why-it-broken-circadian-rhythm-continues-but/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [Some patients are still having insomnia, but it's seems worse to them than actually it is. So, if they say they're sleep deprived, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/some-patients-are-still-having-insomnia-but-it-s-seems-worse-to-them/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [Sleep paralysis is something that is actually very common. Many people have it, I've had it myself. And what happens is, when you're in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/sleep-paralysis-is-something-that-is-actually-very-common-many-people/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [So you have Sleep Stage One, Two, and then Three/Four. One is a little bit lighter stage of the quiet, non-REM sleep and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-you-have-sleep-stage-one-two-and-then-three-four-one-is-a-little/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [The other option we have are medication treatments. So you'll have the treatments such as Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata, and we'll also have Rozerem and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/the-other-option-we-have-are-medication-treatments-so-you-ll-have-the/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [So, sleep deprivation, and sometimes an insomnia, which is a little bit of a different form, but just getting a lack of sleep, can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-sleep-deprivation-and-sometimes-an-insomnia-which-is-a-little-bit/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [So when it comes to circadian rhythms, it's a clock that's basically programmed in our body. So if you think back to times when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-when-it-comes-to-circadian-rhythms-it-s-a-clock-that-s-basically/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [There's confusional arousals, there are states in deeper sleep that can happen where people will go and they'll disappear and they'll take on some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/there-s-confusional-arousals-there-are-states-in-deeper-sleep-that/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [So someone who is a child usually goes to bed about 8:00 or 9:00 at night, but then when they have a circadian rhythm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-someone-who-is-a-child-usually-goes-to-bed-about-8-00-or-9-00-at/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [People tend to remember their dreams in the morning a little bit better and if earlier in the night, when you're in a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/people-tend-to-remember-their-dreams-in-the-morning-a-little-bit/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

[Explore all 65 Shelby Harris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

## More Insomnia quotes

> [“If you go to bed too early and get up too late you probably won't sleep especially well. This could show up as either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-a-lewis/if-you-go-to-bed-too-early-and-get-up-too-late-you-probably-won-t/)

[Penelope A. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-a-lewis/)

> [ When they \[people with insomnia\] start worrying about not sleeping, I'll say, "Say the mantra to myself; if I don't sleep tonight, I'll likely… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/when-they-people-with-insomnia-start-worrying-about-not-sleeping-i-ll/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [For me being depressed means you can spend all day in bed, and still not get a good night's rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-guest/for-me-being-depressed-means-you-can-spend-all-day-in-bed-and-still/)

[Judith Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-guest/)

> [“Right now I can't even control my own imagination as it grips my hair and drags me into the dark”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahereh-mafi/right-now-i-can-t-even-control-my-own-imagination-as-it-grips-my-hair/)

[Tahereh Mafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahereh-mafi/)

> [Unfortunately, I suffer from insomnia, so my bedtime is as soon as I start to feel the least bit sleepy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheyenne-jackson/unfortunately-i-suffer-from-insomnia-so-my-bedtime-is-as-soon-as-i/)

[Cheyenne Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheyenne-jackson/)

> [I'm so tired, but I can't sleep. Standing on the edge of something much too deep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mclachlan/i-m-so-tired-but-i-can-t-sleep-standing-on-the-edge-of-something-much/)

[Sarah McLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mclachlan/)

> [My life has been regulated by insomnia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-bourgeois/my-life-has-been-regulated-by-insomnia/)

[Louise Bourgeois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-bourgeois/)

> [Don't fight with the pillow, but lay down your head And kick every worriment out of the bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-vance-cooke/don-t-fight-with-the-pillow-but-lay-down-your-head-and-kick-every/)

[Edmund Vance Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-vance-cooke/)

> [The mania started with insomnia and not eating and being driven, driven to find an apartment, driven to see everybody, driven to do New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-duke/the-mania-started-with-insomnia-and-not-eating-and-being-driven/)

[Patty Duke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-duke/)

> [O polished perturbation! golden care! That keep'st the ports of slumber open wide To many a watchful night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-polished-perturbation-golden-care-that-keep-st-the-ports-of-slumber/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Use insomnia to do something more than insomnia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-limn/use-insomnia-to-do-something-more-than-insomnia/)

[Jeremy Limn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-limn/)

> [We try not using medications initially, and we use something called behavioral therapy for insomnia. This changes behaviors people do in bed, none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/we-try-not-using-medications-initially-and-we-use-something-called/)

[Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/)

> [Its at night, when perhaps we should be dreaming, that the mind is most clear, that we are most able to hold all our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-aldiss/its-at-night-when-perhaps-we-should-be-dreaming-that-the-mind-is-most/)

[Brian Aldiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-aldiss/)

> [I've crossed some kind of invisible line. I feel as if I've come to a place I never thought I'd have to come to.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/i-ve-crossed-some-kind-of-invisible-line-i-feel-as-if-i-ve-come-to-a/)

[Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/)

> [Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many different ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-wood-krutch/cats-are-rather-delicate-creatures-and-they-are-subject-to-a-good/)

[Joseph Wood Krutch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-wood-krutch/)

[Browse all 384 Insomnia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insomnia/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "In general, there are patients with insomnia who - many patients with insomnia will actually over report the lack of sleep that they are getting.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Shelby Harris"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/in-general-there-are-patients-with-insomnia-who-many-patients-with/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Insomnia"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/in-general-there-are-patients-with-insomnia-who-many-patients-with/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/shelby-harris-10520_insomnia_in-general-there-are-patients-with-insom_1767413.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/shelby-harris-10520_insomnia_in-general-there-are-patients-with-insom_1767413.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a2/shelby-harris-10520_insomnia_in-general-there-are-patients-with-insom_1767413.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In general, there are patients with insomnia who - many patients with insomnia will actually over report the…” — Shelby Harris",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Shelby Harris",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In general, there are patients with...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/in-general-there-are-patients-with-insomnia-who-many-patients-with/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/in-general-there-are-patients-with-insomnia-who-many-patients-with/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
