When my anxiety disorder triggered back in APRIL 2005, 1 of the severe side effects was extreme insomnia. The anxiety med I was on @ 3x's per day was not enough to help me sleep. I was only averaging 1-2 hrs per every 24 hrs. Long story short, my therapist prescribed 2 sleep aids for me - that IN CONJUNCTION - worked for me. Gradually, I was able to get off ALL SLEEP AIDS & ANXIETY MEDS = <span class="ev_code_RED">Today, 3 yrs later, I am recovered & haven't been on ANY MEDS for 1 1/2 + years.</span>
1ST) The meds I was prescribed were based ON MY SEVERE case of sleep deprivation & under direct supervision of my psychiatrist.
2ND) There were MANY CHANGES I HAD TO MAKE, PERSONALLY/LITERALLY/PHYSICALLY - that were contributing to my sleep deprivation: I had to cut back on sugar + caffeine + junk food + eating heavy late @ nite. I needed to establish an exercise regime - gradually, little by little - I was fat & had all this extra adrenanline w/ no means to get it out - exercising helped that. I exercised a little everyday - WE ALL HAVE THE SAME 24 HRS IN A DAY, THERE ARE NO EXCUSES - other than the ones we create for ourselves. Next, I followed Lucinda's program DILIGENTLY - word for word, STEP BY STEP - trust me, it works - work that program harder than you have anything b/4 in your life & you will see results. Next, I utilized the skills taught in the result. Next, <span class="ev_code_RED">RELAXATION SESSIONS </span> are 1 of the BEST THINGS IN THE WORLD FOR ANXIETY DISORDER - omg, phenominal. I never relaxed in my life - now, I love it. Next, I got busy doing things instead of festering in the anxiety disorder: talk to a friend + visit a friend or have he/she visit you + take a walk outside & allow the world & all of its wonderment seep into your spores & soul - like nourishment for your spirit + buy yourself something - just for you(perfume + a cute top, etc) + get a pedicure + watch a funny movie: laughter is CRYTONITE to anxiety disorder - put on a movie that will make ya laugh so hard, you almost need to run to the bathroom - THESE ARE JUST SOME IDEAS. Next, I started to cut out the negative people in my life, choosing to surround myself w/ positive/inspiring/motivating people - people w/ neg vibes will ZAP YOU of your energy will & determination. I also came on this StressCenter.com FORUM & CHAT - mainly to realize I AM NOT ALONE - something anxiety disorder attempts to make you think you are - I met great people + friends + get advice + help + support & w/ my own experiences - I too was able to help. <span class="ev_code_RED">PAY ATTN TO THE POS SELF TALK DIALOG.</span> that is very key - we don't realize that it is US DOING THIS TO OURSELVES.
LENORE
Sleep Anxieties- Help Please!
Thank you Lenore for the very uplifting post.
I agree with you about the relaxation session. It is so important to do it as much as possible for both anxiety and sleep. There is a great book on insomnia called "Say Goodnight To Insomnia" which covers a program to overcome insomnia. There's also an online program by the same Dr. at 'cbtforinsomnia.com'. He has an excellent relaxation session that I use a lot.
I've overcome my insomnia, but not my fear of insomnia. I still have irrational scary what if thoughts about not sleeping that are giving me a lot of problems lately. I'm hoping this program can help with that. I'm just starting session 4.
Jim
I agree with you about the relaxation session. It is so important to do it as much as possible for both anxiety and sleep. There is a great book on insomnia called "Say Goodnight To Insomnia" which covers a program to overcome insomnia. There's also an online program by the same Dr. at 'cbtforinsomnia.com'. He has an excellent relaxation session that I use a lot.
I've overcome my insomnia, but not my fear of insomnia. I still have irrational scary what if thoughts about not sleeping that are giving me a lot of problems lately. I'm hoping this program can help with that. I'm just starting session 4.
Jim
[COLOR:PURPLE][B]~ Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. ~[/B][/COLOR]
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Guest
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Guest
My doctor put me on Seraquel for sleep. It worked, but I felt very drugged the next morning. My doctor told me several times that it was not addictive. So I took it, and was starting to feel so much better, then I devoloped shaking with the meds, and twitching. The doctor told me to just stopping taking it.
The rebound insomnia was terrible. I went on line and found people who didn't have anxiety problems having terrible withdrawals from it. People were taking weeks to sleep normal again.
What was my doctor thinking?!!?!? Now I'm back to where I started. It's hard when you start to feel good, to start all over again.
The rebound insomnia was terrible. I went on line and found people who didn't have anxiety problems having terrible withdrawals from it. People were taking weeks to sleep normal again.
What was my doctor thinking?!!?!? Now I'm back to where I started. It's hard when you start to feel good, to start all over again.
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Guest
Be-Positive,
Seraquel is definately a BAD drug if you only are having sleeping trouble. The side effect profile of it is really scary. I was going to suggest you stop taking it but you alreay have, which is a good thing.
Are you taking anything now for sleep? If you don't have anything, use the OTC sleep aids. They work well for short periods, at least until you can get another med from your doctor.
Work at not trying to sleep. When laying in bed, just say to yourself that you're confident and strong and you're relaxing. Tell yourself over and over that you will not overreact if you can't get to sleep. The anxiety about not sleeping is 10 times worse than the actual tiredness.
Good luck,
Jim
Seraquel is definately a BAD drug if you only are having sleeping trouble. The side effect profile of it is really scary. I was going to suggest you stop taking it but you alreay have, which is a good thing.
Are you taking anything now for sleep? If you don't have anything, use the OTC sleep aids. They work well for short periods, at least until you can get another med from your doctor.
Work at not trying to sleep. When laying in bed, just say to yourself that you're confident and strong and you're relaxing. Tell yourself over and over that you will not overreact if you can't get to sleep. The anxiety about not sleeping is 10 times worse than the actual tiredness.
Good luck,
Jim
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monty'smom
- Posts: 151
- Joined: Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:14 pm
Debbe: I am surprised your doctor wouldn't prescribe valium. 1.5 mg of valium at bedtime worked for me when nothing else would and I was completely losing it. I only used it for a couple of weeks. Don't they realize that Ambien can actually cause anxiety in some people? It did for me.
formerly Sleepless Mom
formerly Sleepless Mom
BELIEVE YOU CAN CONQUER ANYTHING~ AND YOU WILL !! I DID IT, YES !!!!!
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Guest
I agree with Jim about the Seraquel. Shame, it really worked well for my sleep, but the longer I was on it, the stranger I felt.
I have tried over the counter meds, I will fall asleep with them, and still only sleep a few hours, and then wake up with terrible rebound anxiety, and be very anxious the rest of the night. The doctor has given me some other meds, but I hate the thought of going through withdrawals agains. Yet if I don't take anything, I only sleep a few hours a night, with no naps during the day.
I have tried over the counter meds, I will fall asleep with them, and still only sleep a few hours, and then wake up with terrible rebound anxiety, and be very anxious the rest of the night. The doctor has given me some other meds, but I hate the thought of going through withdrawals agains. Yet if I don't take anything, I only sleep a few hours a night, with no naps during the day.
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Be-Positive,
Another alternative for you is Hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax). It is completely non-addictive sedating antihistamine which really knocks me out. I only use it to sleep after a very bad night, less than 3 hrs or so of sleep. I take it about 7:30 PM and am really tired by 10 or so. Taking it earlier really reduces the next day hangover.
Hydroxyzine is also used as a mild drug for anxiety. It only seems to help me sometimes for anxiety.
I would visit sleepnet.com insomnia forums for more help. The general attitude over there is you can fix your sleep problems without drugs. I have gotten a huge amount of help from that site.
Good luck,
Jim
Another alternative for you is Hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax). It is completely non-addictive sedating antihistamine which really knocks me out. I only use it to sleep after a very bad night, less than 3 hrs or so of sleep. I take it about 7:30 PM and am really tired by 10 or so. Taking it earlier really reduces the next day hangover.
Hydroxyzine is also used as a mild drug for anxiety. It only seems to help me sometimes for anxiety.
I would visit sleepnet.com insomnia forums for more help. The general attitude over there is you can fix your sleep problems without drugs. I have gotten a huge amount of help from that site.
Good luck,
Jim
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Guest
Jim,
Funny, before my anxieties crept back into my life, I found Atarax and Benadryl very sadating. Now that my anxieties are full blown again, both will relax me, let me sleep a short amount of time and then I wake up even more anxious, and unable to go back to sleep. Rebound anxiety? *sigh* I have to be so difficult.
Funny, before my anxieties crept back into my life, I found Atarax and Benadryl very sadating. Now that my anxieties are full blown again, both will relax me, let me sleep a short amount of time and then I wake up even more anxious, and unable to go back to sleep. Rebound anxiety? *sigh* I have to be so difficult.