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It's possible Assange hasn't been sleeping enough for years due to the stress of his situation. The effects of that might resemble those of torture and debilitating drugs.

Just something to consider...

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Consider this: Sleep deprivation is torture. Anyone being held in a condition like this and not getting serious medical attention -- psychological and physiological -- is also torture. The fact that after several months outside the confines of the embassy-cell, he is still in a condition that resembles torture victims is evidence enough of that. It's also very convenient that it looks like this is self-inflicted and "no one can do anything huh?". Any person other than him would be hospitalized immediately.

I'm inclined to agree with you.

But that's not the first thing which came to my mind in reading TFA when the author referenced torture and drugs.

Reading the description of Assange's incoherent ramblings reminded me of a relative who suffered from extreme sleep apnea for over a decade, where he basically would never sleep for more than a few minutes before choking himself awake. He became pretty incoherent and insane, and his machismo pride prevented him from seeking treatment for it.

I don't think I'd be sleeping well in Assange's shoes.

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