Stress Center Peer Support

Hi all~
I have been off meds. now for about 10 mos.
only the second time in 20 yrs.The first time I crashed after about 6 mos.I`ve been doing pretty good until lately.I have this Horrible insomnia It takes forever to fall asleep and then I wake up about every hr.and a half feeling like I haven`t slept at all.Like i`ve been surface sleeping,dreaming and not into a deep sleep. By 6 am im usually ready to snap!
A good nights sleep is key to being able to fight off this anxiety and when I don`t get it I am panic stricken. This was only happening once a month and now its every other night and I am beside myself about whats wrong and what to do. Have any of you had this and what did you do about it? I have never had problems sleeping in my life. What is wrong with me now?

Hi Kristen, I have had problems from time to time with sleep. Spend my days feeling like I worked a triple shift! Try to make your bedroom comfortable and welcoming for sleep. Read in bed. Lite a pretty smelling candle and let it signify you letting go and excepting the stuff going down in your life. During the day or other times you are not working busy your self with things like cleaning a closet or a drawer. I hope this helps. Sometimes the candle can work during the day too. It's like excepting, internalizing and letting go! Best of luck. Tara

Hi Kristen I am in the same place as you...I took antidepressants for about 12 years and got off of them twice...The first time I had to get back on about 6 months after being off and I have gotten off again now for 10 months and the same thing as you I am having anxiety and insomnia...Which makes me panic cause I think that my day is gonna be bad and full of anxiety cause I didn't sleep...I really want to give this program a try cause medication hasn't been the answer...I have had some good days and some good nights but I refuse to think negative and know that this program will work...I am so glad that someone else is going through this as well...We will overcome this cause obviously medication doesn't work...I will be praying for you...Sandrac

Hello Kristen,
I was in the same boat as you about a year ago and I still have sleeping issues. I took a sleep study course on line and read and researched the subject a lot. Here's what I did that helped:
1. STOP Caffeine intake - no coffee, cokes, chocolate, energy drinks or anything else that has caffeine in it. I know this can be tough, but not as tough as going without sleep!
2. Avoid Sugar - Especially after noon. Sugar is just like adrenalin to your body and keeps you 'fired up'.
3. Make sure you get enough exercise every day.
You need about 90 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. Work up to it slowly if you have to but get started. You can just take long walks if you are not in good shape.
4. Don't watch scary movies or TV shows, especially in the evenings. This goes for really exciting adventure stuff too. Your subconscious mind doesn't know the difference between reality and a movie! Don’t keep ‘scaring’ it all the time.
5. Make your bedroom a calm and comfortable place that is only for sleeping. No TV watching or even reading in bed. Your bed is for sleeping. Keep all other activities (except sex) out of the bedroom.
6. Several hours before bed time, start winding down, relaxing, do yoga or other relaxion exercises. Have some quiet time each day and give yourself time to calm down from the daily stresses of life.
7. Try to stick to a regular sleeping schedule. Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time each day. This will train your mind when to relax.
8. If you are awake at night and can't sleep, don't just continue laying there and worrying about it, get up, go out of the bedroom and read or do something calming. Sometimes I get up or do GiCong exercises for stress.
9. Mind control, as you learned from lession 3 of this course, your thoughts affect your feelings. Find something that you like that always makes you feel calm and focus on that.
Some people use bedtime prayers (highly recommended) for others it's a hobby, goal or some memory of a calm, relaxing time and place.
I like trains myself, and thinking about them always seems to calm me down and help me get sleepy. Strange I know, but find something that works for you.
Also, you may need to re-evaluate your life and see what's bothering you. It could be a bad relationship, work trouble or any number of things. It may be time to consider making some changes to help move you beyond a troubling situation.
You can email me if you want more info on sleeping: svrancher@yahoo.com
God Bless you and peace be with you.
Don

I've been having this problem lately too and I kmow it is terrible. I've been trying different things:

Quietude: Homeopathic relaxation/sleep aid. Two tablets under the tongue.

Sleep Remedy: Homeopathic, from the makers of Rescue Remedy. Couple sprays under tongue.

Valerian: 30-40 drops in water then drink.

I haven't tried the Valerian yet but the Quietude and Sleep Remedy are working pretty good. I have the problem where I wake up in the night and can't go back to sleep so I just lay there wishing I could go back to sleep. I think one of the major keys is saying calming things to yourself and breathing to relax.

Good luck with this. I know how miserable it can be.

Thanks sooooo much for all your replys!!!!
I really havent been real anxious,its just this insomnia thats making me nuts! I worry about not getting enough sleep.I won`t even leave the house if I havent rested well.
I have been taking those tylenol pm and they seem to be helping but I don`t want to depend on anything. I will try some of your suggestions and keep you posted. Thanks again

I have trouble sleeping at night, but I FIGHT going to sleep. With me it's probably depression because going to sleep means waking up to another dreadful day. I take Tylenol PM too sometimes, but find that sometimes taking them CAUSES the same problem you are having...waking up constantly all night and then being terribly irritable and stressed out the next day. I am a stay-at-home mom with an infant son and sleep is sortof a requirement to get through the day. I agree with the evaluating of your life to see what's bothering you, but it could be a simple "what are you eating before you go to bed" issue too. I hope you figure it out. In the meantime, I don't think Tylenol PM is addictive really, unless you are easily addicted to things & its safe. My doctor says Tylenol is one of the safest medications and allowed me to take it (and I took A LOT) during pregnancy. Best of luck.

Christine