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Why is CPAP so hard?

cpap Sep 03, 2022
Person struggling with CPAP

If you think CPAP is hard, you are struggling in some way.  You might have a physical struggle (the mask, most often) or a mental struggle, or both.  And, ironically, some of what you perceive to be a physical struggle may be a mental struggle in disguise.  Ooh, those are the tricky ones!

In the face of a threat to our perceived freedom, our brains can really go to work defending us.  It’s a normal response that is meant to be protective in the face of change.  All-or-nothing mentality or unrealistic expectations are born out of this defense, and I find that many people see their sleep apnea diagnosis or their CPAP machine as a threat.  It may be subtle or overt.

For example, bringing a medical machine and equipment into your home can be perceived as a sign of illness- “There is something wrong with me.”  And you have the machine taking up space on your bedside table proving it every night.   

You may lament about the time it takes.  Learning how to put the mask on properly, finding a new mask, cleaning the parts, communicating with your doctor or your supply company, waking up more as you are getting used to the whole thing.  “It’s such a bother”.  

There is the expense- not only in the money and time you spent getting the diagnosis but ongoing financial expense as you replenish supplies and pay for sleep debt as you acclimate.  “I have to use this for the rest of my life.”

And there is the inconvenience- “I just want to sleep normally again.”  

Some of you have four-lettered words peppered in, for emphasis:  “I can’t stand this f*cking thing.” 

Positive thinking and affirmations might be somewhat helpful in a pinch, but these approaches don’t go deep enough to be sustained.  You don’t really believe the rose-colored words. It’s like trying to lose weight by flipping into thinking positively.  It just doesn’t work..  

Mindset coaching works on things that are hard.  What mindset coaching produces is small and sustainable shifts in thinking that build on each other, brick by brick.  This produces sustainable results.  You deliberately move in the direction of your goal.  Your progress is guided by a coach, like me.  I am able to see how your mind is working and give you that awareness.  I introduce mindset tools that help you to challenge and change maladaptive thinking patterns.  And, as a coach, I hold you accountable by reflecting the effects of your choices and comparing that to your ultimate goal.  

This is one of those situations where what you get out of it is directly proportional to what you put in.  

If fixing your sleep apnea is hard and you want help, I can help.

 

 

 

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