Stress Center Peer Support

I am going out of town in 2 weeks and for some reason have intense anxiety.

I can not sleep or eat ..I have been up for 24 hours! My husband seems to be at his wits end with me and it usually my safe person. I really feel so alone and scared. I don't think I ever have stayed up this long. Everytime I lie down I get obseessive thoughts but when I am up I feel better. I feel crazy and that I need to go to the hospital or something. Gosh I hate feeling this way but can't stop it.

Any help much appreciated

Hi,,,I had this happen a couple of weeks ago. I could not sleep for over a week. Every time I got to sleep I awoke immediately. I had just started a new medication so, stopped that. Have you started anything new? I did go to the doctors and they gave me sleeping pills but, I did not want to take them. Typical, I guess for a person with anxiety. I tried to stop worrying about getting sleep, and did relaxation and exercise has seemed to help. I am finally sleeping better now. I would go to bed with a series of relaxation CD's and fall asleep with them on...letting them run over and over again..I also prayed a lot. I have also cut out all caffeine and sugar. Hope these things help. Maybe encourage your husband to listen to Lucinda's tape for the spouse or caregiver again. I know it is tough for them as well. Keep me posted on how you do.

Thank you so much for the suggestions

harlow,

I found stopping my racing thoughts was exactly what I needed. How do you stop racing thoughts?

One way would be to have your husband read to you. Put all your thought and energy on each word he reads; this will change your focus on the book.

The second way would be to listen to the words of a pleasant and relaxing song. Repeat the words to yourself and simply fall asleep.

The third way is to meditate. You can listen to Lucinda's relaxation tape or go on-line to download some great free material. I have some great suggestions if you need one.

Sincerely,

Peter

Hi - I've had problems with insomnia most my life, correlating with my problems with anxiety and depression. Like you, my anxiety manifested with lack of sleep and problems eating.

I just want you to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. A short stint on Lexapro, the program, and this website have changed the way I look at life, sleep, food, everything.

I no longer suffer debilitating anxiety; I eat normally; and when insomnia strikes, yes it still does on occasion, I just roll with it. I've had many all-nighters (not because I was having fun), even last night, I lost a considerable amount of sleep, but it doesn't get me down.

It really is how you look at it. I lost sleep last night: so what. The world didn't end, life goes on, my day went as planned. I'll either catch up tonight, tomorrow, or whenever my body dictates. Another wise soul helped me in another posting when I was struggling with my sleep issues and so I'll pass this link onto you.

<A HREF="http://www.sleepnet.com/insomnia11/messages/366.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.sleepnet.com/insomnia11/messages/366.html</A>

Trust me, it will get better. I have a cute magnet on my fridge that says "When you get to the end of you rope, tie a knot, hang on, and swing!"

I have sleep problems too. My mind goes 1000 miles an hour in a 25 mph zone. It's usually when something is upcoming, so I keep pen and paper by the bed to write down things I think of to do.
I, too, just gave up on stressing over not getting sleep and put the time to good use. I can read, watch tv, take relaxing bath, house clean, catch up on the computer, etc during the awake times.