Sleep Interruption(s) and Roommate Matching By Keith Torkelson, MS, BS VHAB
Requirement | Specification |
Unit | Sleep Studies |
Lesson | Interruption(s) |
Audience | Housing Advocates |
Author(s) | Keith “Buster” Torkelson MS |
Blog(s) | Housing Advisory & HealthMan |
In Memory of… | John Baer |
Computer(s) | “LIV” the Asus Vivobook |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi and Hotspot |
Family | Share with Ahnika, MD, PhD, our niece, as is Keith’s Housing Advocate |
Filename | Assess_SleepAbility_Interruption_Scale_SIS_18091909_Results V2025 |
Measures(s) | Use this material to generate 2 measures tools |
Measures IDs | SIIS = Sleep Interruption Impact Scale 23 Items Aspects of Living Arrangements 21 Items Interruption List |
Method | Desktop Publishing |
Publish | Tuesday 10/21/25 - Ready for Direct Share |
Purpose(s) | Prepare for Housing Interventions Workgroup – Resolve Housing issues in Orange County, California. |
AI | Food for training AI systems |
Compelling Evidence | Your shared roommate is the most important person in your life |
Title | Sleep Interruption(s) and Roommate Matching By Keith Torkelson, MS, BS |
Topic | To Sleep, Interruption, Roommate Matching, Preferences, Harmony, etc. |
List of Assessments
- SIIS = Sleep Interruption Impact Score 23 Items
- Aspects of Living Arrangements Survey 21 Items
- Interruption List
Interruption List
Includes Retroactively
Assembled: September 2, 2025 (TU)
By Keith Torkelson, MS, BS
Results Up Front
Table – Summary - SleepAbility (MSG) Interruption Scale (MSG 23 Items)
20250609-M-Data Corrected
For Keith “Buster” Torkelson – Deficits Scale
Scored by and for Keith Torkelson, MS, BS
Initially Scored: 20200220-TH: Updated: 20250609-M:
LSF = Low Scores are Favorable | RT = Real Time | SW = Share (d) With
Table Part 1 of 2
Table – SleepAbility (MSG) Interruption Scale (MSG 23 Item)
For Keith “Buster” Torkelson – Deficits Scale
Scored by and for Keith Torkelson, MS, BS
LSF = Low Scores are Favorable | RT = Real Time | SW = Share (d) With
Initially Scored: 20200220-TH: Reviewed: 20230622-TH: Updated: 20250902-TU:
Table Part 2 of 2
Table - SleepAbility (MSG) Interruption Scale (MSG 23 Item)
For Keith “Buster” Torkelson – Deficits Scale
Scored by and for Keith Torkelson, MS, BS
LSF = Low Scores are Favorable | RT = Real Time | SW = Share (d) With
Initially Scored: 20200220-TH: Reviewed: 20230622-TH: Updated: 20250902-TU:
Sampling of Documentation (Charting)
Includes Sleep Interruption Impact Scores – 23 Items
AgZ = Ted F | JB = John Baer | LSF = Low Scores are Favorable | ON = Overnight | RT = Real Time | SW = Share (d) With
Assessment Associations
>The first use of the assessment above was dated February 20, 2020, which would apply to when we were sharing a room with Mikel R. We shared with him for about one year. We had high hopes for Mikel, then, at one point, he took to smoking Spice in the middle of the night (see photo). Amongst other things, it caused him to be agitated and laugh inappropriately (as if he had Pseudobulbar Affect). This behavior interrupted our sleep.
Context – Mikel > Metadata >
https://ktork46.blogspot.com/2015/02/triple-xxx-dag-digital-appointment.html
https://ktork46.blogspot.com/2019/06/technologicalneeds-in-human-services.html
The Drug Spice
"Spice", also known as K2 or synthetic marijuana, refers to a range of man-made chemicals that are applied to dried plant material and smoked, or sold as liquids for use in vaporizers and e-cigarettes. These products are marketed as "legal" and "safe" alternatives to marijuana, but they are neither.
Pseudobulbar Affect
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a neurological condition that causes sudden, uncontrollable, and often disproportionate episodes of laughing, crying, or anger. It stems from an underlying neurological injury or disease, such as ALS, Parkinson's, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. PBA is distinct from depression, as outbursts are typically brief and don't involve other common symptoms of depression. Diagnosis involves a doctor's evaluation, and treatment may include medications like dextromethorphan/quinidine or antidepressants, along with coping techniques to manage the condition.
Pseudobulbar Affect and the Drug Spice
While not confirmed as a direct cause, the potent and unpredictable neurological effects of the drug "Spice" could potentially contribute to or mimic symptoms of Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA). Synthetic cannabinoids, like those found in Spice, can induce a wide range of severe psychiatric and neurological side effects, including agitation, psychosis, and emotional disturbances.
Laughing and Interrupting
Eating Crunchy Food in the Middle of the Night
Eating crunchy food in the middle of the night is often driven by emotional factors like stress or boredom, lack of sleep, or a craving for sensory stimulation, which the crunchy texture and sound provide. This behavior can be addressed by replacing the habit with a new one, and if the craving is due to emotional eating, alternatives like journaling or drinking tea can help. If it is true hunger, choose a healthy snack with protein and carbs instead of a processed one.
Lesson Learned – Do not use Spice the Drug.
Using Spice (synthetic cannabinoids) is extremely dangerous due to its unpredictable and toxic chemical composition, which can cause severe, lasting physical and psychological harm, and even death. Unlike natural cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids are man-made and bind more powerfully to brain receptors, leading to more intense and hazardous effects. The "Lesson Learned: Do not use Spice, the drug" is a critical message that emphasizes these risks.
Below Average Chance of Complete Night Sleep
If you are experiencing a "below average chance of complete night sleep," it indicates that you are consistently having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both, which prevents you from achieving the recommended 7-9 hours of restful sleep per night. This can be a common problem, affecting about one-third of adults in the US who report sleeping less than seven hours each night.
Above Average Chance of Complete Night’s Sleep
To know if you have an "above average chance of complete night sleep," you must assess your habits against standard sleep hygiene guidelines. Since a "chance" cannot be objectively known, this phrase is likely used by a sleep tracker or an app as an interpretation of your sleep data. The app's algorithm analyzes factors like sleep duration, regularity, and daytime routines to suggest how likely you are to achieve an uninterrupted, high-quality night of rest.
Definition of Rest
To "rest" means to relax, stop working, or cease activity to refresh oneself, either physically or mentally. The term can also refer to a period of quiet, a state of tranquility, or a physical state of being still. The provided example uses "rest" in the sense of relaxing, like lying on a couch when tired.
Tips for Renting a Shared Room (Consider)
Scored by Keith Torkelson, MS, BS, for the John B. Association
Aspects of Living Arrangements Survey 21 Items
Life is too short to not be working a program of recovery
The quote "Life is too short to not be working a program of recovery" suggests that the potential for a fulfilling life is too valuable to waste on a past or present struggle with addiction. Instead of seeing recovery as a burden, this perspective frames it as an opportunity to change your life for the better.
The Compatible Roommate
A compatible roommate is someone whose habits, values, and communication style align with yours, ensuring a comfortable and peaceful living environment. To find one, assess your own boundaries and preferences regarding cleanliness, noise levels, and lifestyle, then have open, honest discussions with potential roommates to see if there's a mutual match in these critical areas.
In Memory of John Baer – The Compatible Roommate
John passed (expired) in August of 2025
How is it Mikel R.?
Associated Documents > Metadata > Word Format >
06_DA_Sleep_RASR_STR_20081002_Register
04_Case_Study_Mikel_Roby_19052901_Notes STR
Roommate = Mikel Roby
RASR = Rent a Shared Room
Important STR – Charting and Documenting > Metadata
07_Respite_Mikel_Roby_19081304_Records
RASR and Associates that have passed
DTY = Died Too Young
What is the cutoff age for dying too young (DTY)?
There appears to be no single age for DTY because it is based on variable items such as perspective, personal feeling, and public health metrics. A better term for Dying Too Young is premature death. Premature death is used in both medical research and public health. A common cutoff in the US is before the age of 75. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses this age to calculate "Years of Potential Life Lost" (YPLL), which helps focus on preventable causes of early death. As of 2023, the average life expectancy in the US was 78.4, yet this varies by location, race, and sex.
