insomnia

lael · Post by **lael** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:37 am

Is it wrecking anybody elses life? Did anybody else start the journy to anxity first with insomnia and then to anxity about not sleeping and then to fear of not enjoying life not enjoying the people and things we love the most. For exsample i am afraid to be with my family because i don't want to remember or assosiate them with this time in my life. IDK i just got the cd's today i am excited to use them but i am not into new age empowerment of self i just want to teach myself how to think diffrently my higher power is God does this program really get into new age? see how i worry about everything! this just happen a month ago for me. I had insomnia a few mnths back but it never affected me like this when i was little i had insomnia like this and i remember that feeling of never being able to be happy but knowing i had every reason to be. I thought i was rid of it!! does anybody identify? ANYBODY?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:39 am

lael, I definitely have been through, and in the process of going through exactly what you are describing. I started with anxiety, and about six months ago the anxiety triggered insomnia. I was always crying and thought to myself, "I'll just have to get used to this" I decided to work on calming my mind at bedtime and then having the goal of just resting. Then I started setting up bedtime routines to stick to every single night. My body (and mind) was triggered by my bedtime routine for sleep. It worked for me, it is a process I still do. I started keeping a journal in January, which is helping me too. Just remember, you are not alone and you will get through this. Let me know how you are doing.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:14 am

You are absolutely not alone on this one. Insomnia seems to be one of the most common complaints about anxiety. We've had numerous posts on this subject and what people do about it. You may want to go back and check a lot of the older posts for suggestions. There's nothing new age about teaching yourself to think differently- which is what the CBT is, and it's been around for a long time. Living in the moment and being present is not a new concept and has been around for centuries. There are many people here who incorporate this into their spiritual beliefs and their relationship with God. Give it a try- all you have to lose is your anxiety.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:36 am

Insomnia is one of those things where the harder you fight it the worse it gets. Thinking "I have to do something about this" or "I have to fight insomnia" or "ohmigosh if I don't get to sleep tonight something bad will happen" just fuels the problem.

Accept whatever amount of sleep you get and just get on with your day. If you feel you must lie down & nap during the day do so but don't make it a habit as that will affect the amount of sleep you get at night. Go to bed the same time at night and get up the same time each morning- get a schedule. Make your sleeping facilities conducive for sleep and eliminate distractions. Know that this too shall pass in time. Insomnia is just another trick our minds have in store for us on the journey to healing & personal growth.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:29 am

I struggled with insomnia for years. Learning to deal with my anxiety has been the best thing I could do. The relaxation tape has been a blessing as I do it before going to bed, and the fact that I can now relax has made a big difference. I now fall asleep within a few minutes most nights, where it used to take me an hour or more.

Another thing that has worked for me - I have always been a night owl and I have been fighting my body clock for years while working a regular 9-5 job. This past year I have been working swing-shift jobs, and it has also made a huge difference for me to be able to wake up when my body wants to wake up, and not when the alarm clock says. I have had to take less pay for these types of jobs, but it has been worth it just to be able to sleep.

I have noticed that the past few days I have been waking up with a smile on my face, instead of the anxiousness that I normally would have due to my "anxiety dreams." This program has helped me day and night.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:11 pm

Hi, I too have anxiety. I could honestly say that I have to take a xanax and an anti depressant to sleep. I know I am addicted to the xanax. Without them I honestly can not go to sleep. I am feeling pressured to get off the xanax. I wish I could sleep. I have 2 kids and a grumpy husband that is not very responsible so I get irritated when he is asleep before the baby and snoring loud. I need help to sleep. Ir ead some of the suggestions and will try. Has anyone had to take medications to sleep> How did you get off them?

Paige... · Post by **Paige...** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:01 am

Curly Girl, ask your DR for trazadone. It is not addictive and you don't feel hung over the next morning. I only take it when I need it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:16 am

Hang in there...it is SOOOO tough I know. For me the insomnia started first. I knew I was stressed, but I thought I just had insomnia until it developed into full blown anxiety too. It is difficult because insomnia makes anxiety itself worse, and anxiety leads to insomnia, so it is a bit circular. But you CAN jump out. Use the program...I don't think it is New Age at all. Be patient, it will take some time for you to break the cycle but you will get there eventually.
basically-sleeping-OK-now-Mom

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:28 pm

Thank you all for your encouraging words! I am so glad to have this website. sleepless mom i so apprciate that you stated that the insomnia started first cuz that is were it all began for me.

unicorn,
thanks for the advice you are right that is how i got through this last time come to think of it i just accepted what sleep i could get i would put in finding nemo and watch until i fell asleep and set it up so that i had no idea how much time has elapsed.

My worst fear is losing my job becasue i can't function I just got a new manager and a whole new course that i have to learn how to train and new proceedures to get used to so i am on overload. i just want it to end. It could be worse tho it really could.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 27, 2008 3:12 am

lael: It helped me last night to have a plan. Always when I am that anxious during the day I have trouble sleeping. So I approached it like I knew I would be up in the night. I don't think this is negative thinking, it is just accepting the reality. So I had a tape that walks you through a meditation (it is long, 30 minutes at least), and I got it ready beforehand. Then when I woke up, instead of jumping into that panic mode with thoughts like "oh no! not again, here I go again, I won't be able to function tomorrow, it's going to get worse"...I just calmly went to the living room, put on the tape, and did the entire meditation. Then I was able to fall back asleep. It helps me to have a plan.