Bedtime thoughts

I thought after venting a little earlier I was feeling much better but once it’s time for bed and there are no more distractions. Even on days when I’m doing good/ better I’m still plagued by thoughts about how I’m never going to amount to anything, or how I’ve lost all my friends because I’ve slowly but surely secluded myself. Not intentionally but I just kind of stopped talking to anyone for a while when I was very depressed and now it seems I’ve pushed everyone away somehow and I really don’t know how to start again even though I want to. I feel like I should be reaching out to old friends but the last few years I’ve accomplished nothing and feel embarrassed somewhat and like I don’t belong. And I already know I get to feel like this again in the next couple days.. just wondering if anyone has suggestions for the nights that are extra bad, sometimes I’m lucky enough to move past it quickly and fall asleep, but mostly not and lately I’ve been up past midnight every night no matter how tired I feel.

[Kat63]

Do you think it might help to join a support group? If you are in the U.S., look online for the NAMI website. And, do you think counseling might help?

[Hidden in reply to Kat63]

I hadn’t thought of a support group thank you for the suggestion, and yes I’m definitely going to start going back to my therapist soon. I had a good couple years on my own but I can feel it building up again so it’s probably time to reach out. It just makes me feel a little sad to have to go back to regularly scheduled sessions, but from what people are saying it’s pretty normal.

[thesunwillcomeout]

I’ve also pushed away a lot of friends. I almost blamed them for not reaching out or seeing if I was okay when I was going through hard times. I felt I always checked on them and it wasn’t reciprocated and now I’ve lost them. Nights are certainly the hardest times. I can’t go to sleep without taking some sort of medicine or sleep aid and the nights are restless sleep. One thing I’ve been TRYING to do is think of one good thing that happened during my day or something I am thankful for.

[Hidden in reply to thesunwillcomeout]

Yeah I blame them sometimes, but deep down I know that I’m the one who withdrew from socializing(there were times I wouldn’t answer the phone for months)... Thinking of one good thing from the day or something I’m thankful for is a good idea I’ll start trying that too. I also read somewhere having a scheduled bedtime or working out during the day sometimes helps as well. But sometimes those two things don’t always go as planned lol

[thesunwillcomeout]

Maybe write a list the night before of what you want to get done the next day. That might help and it’s feels good crossing off the things you did (or maybe that’s just the OCD me). Working out during the day is a great and healthy idea.

[Anxietygal2]

Hi, most of us with anxiety suffer the same way. I have tried several times to go backwards and find old friends and it never works out, I suppose those friendships ended for a reason. I have a hard time trusting people because they always dissappoint me or betray me so I dont let many people into my life, and at times it can get very lonely. I dont know the answers to life, but I think I understand why we are all here in the world, it is to decide if we want a relationship with God and Gods holy son. Free will. I dont know anyone who is truely happy, everyone seems to be just getting through life and its struggles. I find alot of comfort in gospel music when I cant sleep. Soft gospel music is soothing to me. Though I do also need a med to calm my thoughts from racing. Feed your soul a bit and see if that helps?

[Hidden in reply to Anxietygal2]

I’ve strayed from my faith recently, not that I lost it but it’s not as strong as it was. That’s a beautiful suggestion

[Hidden]

Honestly that seems like something that could help me. Thanks for some good ideas

[TrustnGod]

Hi Toshytosaymyname. I know I’m a bit late but I did want to just suggest prayer like the comment from Anxietygal2. Even just telling God what’s on your mind can be very comforting. I would also suggest journaling because when you write the thoughts out on paper, it almost releases them by keeping them from your mind.

Let us know how you feel after trying some of the strategies!

~Lia

[Hidden in reply to TrustnGod]

Hi there TrustnGod, I appreciate the suggestion and I’ll probably end up trying all of them sooner or later. And You know what they say better late than never

[Anxietygal2]

We who suffer anxiety need an extra dose of peace, the world doesnt really offer any peace, that is something we get from the heavens.

[Hidden in reply to Anxietygal2]

This seems to ring true. occasionally In nature (clouds, sunsets, views of mountains or even deserts) I find momentary glimpses of peace from time to time

[Anxietygal2]

Thats good to hear. There is also peace in nature, I use to lay on a porch swing and watch the clouds and gaze at the blue sky and I liked it alot, but I had to move and no longer have a porch swing.