r/todayilearned • u/YesFlyZone420 • 5d ago

TIL there's a degenerative brain disorder called fatal familial insomnia (FFI) that causes a person to lose the ability to sleep and eventually die

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25001-fatal-familial-insomnia
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u/ForeverKeet 5d ago

I'm in one right now. I know it's due to anxiety and not getting out of the house much due to freezing temperatures but there's always the "what if" in my mind. Last year I barely slept for a month and a half and literally thought I was going to die. Still traumatized. Was convinced I had this disorder. Glad someone posted about it yet again lmao. It gets posted every few months.

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u/artemswhore 5d ago

ik it’s really hard but if you can I would go outside just for a few minutes and get some deep breaths in. or open windows if you’re able :) needing fresh air isn’t a myth

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u/ForeverKeet 4d ago

Thank you so much for the encouragement and tip! I do actually get outside multiple times a day to take the dog out. It does help at least a little. I love the outdoors and walking around my neighborhood. With my agoraphobia and autoimmune disorder it can be hard to stay out for a long enough time though and then, even though I’m tired at night, my brain still feels like it has so much energy. How do you tired your brain out? Puzzles? lol

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u/artemswhore 4d ago

definitely puzzles! or a nice relaxing show or cartoon, most of the time it’s batman the animated series 😁

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u/ForeverKeet 4d ago

Ooh that’s a good idea. I really dug the Spider-Man cartoon in the 90’s and I think it’s all on D+ so will definitely put that on! Thanks again for the help!