Mental Health Support

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Insomnia help

Hi everyone hope you are all well and keeping safe.

I am really struggling with my insomnia I haven't slept properly for years. Each night I have a fitful doze but never a full hour or full night I always wake up anxious and cant settle. I try to get up and read or relax (ha I wish) etc but once I am up I'm up. I never have naps through the day and I'm on no medication to make me not sleep. I try the whole calming drink, no TV, bath before bed, listen to soothing music etc but never helps

Can anyone suggest anything to help me sleep? I hate taking tablets but feel I have no choice altho I'm scared to take them incase I never wake up(silly I know but I suffer from extreme health anxiety and panic disorder and it stems from that)

Thanks for reading .

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Secret4706

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Insomnia

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3 years ago

Going to bed and rising at the same times seems to help me

Not having a late or heavy supper also helps

We seem to not need as much sleep as we get older as well

Have you tried Mindfulness Relaxation Technique before going to bed

Never go to bed on an argument or watch heavy television late on that can keep some awake

BOB

Secret4706 in reply to 3 years ago

Thanks for the helpful tips very appreciated ❤️

Kayleighwoodwardx in reply to Secret47063 years ago

Have you tried camomile tea?

Secret4706 in reply to Kayleighwoodwardx3 years ago

I don't like it hun ha typical!

Kayleighwoodwardx in reply to Secret47063 years ago

Honestly just get a straw and get it down ya, was the best thing I ever did for my insomnia. It’s gross but it has brain stimulation things in it that triggers sleep also helps with stomach pain x

Secret4706 in reply to Kayleighwoodwardx3 years ago

Never thought to do that 😊 might start bathing in it x

SoporRose in reply to 3 years ago

Have you tried valerian? I think it comes in several different options: capsules, tea, and in lozenges. I take some called Moondrops. They help me relax enough to nod off. I'm not sleeping as well as I would like, but at least I can get three to five hours at a time.

Secret4706 in reply to SoporRose3 years ago

I haven't thanks for the suggestion

SoporRose in reply to Secret47063 years ago

Hope it helps. Insomnia is torture.

Secret4706 in reply to SoporRose3 years ago

Thanks again and it's severe torture I haven't slept for days

SoporRose in reply to Secret47063 years ago

Insomnia can make anybody truly crazy. You know, a nap in the early afternoon, if you feel like taking one, might not hurt. Sometimes being over tired can prevent sleep. Rest whenever you can.

in reply to SoporRose3 years ago

Very interesting, something to think about

BOB

Secret4706 in reply to 3 years ago

Thanks Bob hope you are well

3 years ago

Yes

welly103 years ago

Ask your doctor to be referred to sleepstation its helped me and by the sounds of it a few on here it a 7 week guided course they sleep restriction at first but in the long run it helps.good luck

Secret4706 in reply to welly103 years ago

Is that the kind of thing where you are hooked up to monitors etc and they watch you sleep?

Eleanor47 in reply to Secret47062 years ago

Hi, Secret. I’m so sorry to hear how much you’re struggling. I think Welly is referring to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI). A resource that’s helped me with CBTI is Insomnia Coach, a free app developed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Also, I’ve found it really helpful to see a therapist who specializes in anxiety management.

Lilishead3 years ago

Hi there, just a suggestion, have you looked into taking melatonin supplements? It a sleep hormone naturally produced by the pineal gland but is often lacking in people who've had long term sleep problems. I honestly haven't tried it myself but have seen family members prescribed it with excellent results. X

Secret4706 in reply to Lilishead3 years ago

Hi thanks for the suggestion defo going to look into that I've not slept properly for years so might be good to trym thanks again x

seasider18 in reply to Secret47062 years ago

I know full well how you feel as I've been in the same boat since having been given Flouroquinolone antibiotic in 2012 and my situation has gradually worsened. no more than three hours in snatches any night nowadays. Have tried heavy medications and over the counter ones as well as Melatonin without success and now at my wits end. My wife on the other hand can sleep anywhere and anytime for ten hours a night. Yesterday I was going around like a Zombie and my walking ability is impaired by it.

Secret4706 in reply to seasider182 years ago

My partner is the same he could literally sleep on a washing line whereas I can't get more than an hour. I am also walking around like a zombie so you're not alone x

seasider18 in reply to Secret47062 years ago

After a really bad night I fell asleep around 6 am and woke at 8.30 so I should feel a bit better than yesterday.To a degree it may be partly my lifestyle that set me on this path as I was always a late bird who never got or needed more than six hours. Whereas my wife has always been a sleeper. We are both 86 and first met when we were 18. On our first date we were on the Tube and she even then said she could sleep anywhere and closed her eyes and did so. I always tell her my big mistake was not getting off then

She lived in NW6 and I in SW19. I used to leave her at midnight and got home around 1.30 so never got much sleep then. As we got married after a three month engagement people thought we 'had to get married' I told them yes for a different reason as I needed more sleep.

seasider18 in reply to Secret47062 years ago

When you say walking around like a Zombie does it actually affect your walking? As well as my knee problems I have secondary walking problems that I put down to exhaustion

Secret4706 in reply to seasider182 years ago

Yes my back feels hunched as I'm so tired trying to stay up straight!

seasider18 in reply to Secret47062 years ago

My upper half is OK. It is more balance and general lethargy. Slept for less than and hour last night and then got up for about an hour and did not get to sleep again and up and down several times more. Eventually got sleep again from around 7 am to 8.45. Felt shattered but we went out for about an hour and a half. Did not walk far and just sat on the seafront and that woke me up a bit. Won't be able to do that for the next three day due to the bad weather forecast. I had taken Melatonin lat night but it again did not help. I always used to sleep better when we used to go to America and Canada and I put it down to the 5 to 7 hour time difference.I slept better on in Oz and NZ as well with even more of a time difference. Mind you I never ever slept on those flights. I always had to nudge my wife when food and drinks came round

Hope we both have a better night.

Secret4706 in reply to seasider182 years ago

I dozed off about 2am but was back up after 45 mins. Nothing worse than being exhausyed but unable to sleep. Nice that you were able to get out today tho. Are you in the UK? I am we have been forecast with weather warnings for rain and it was snowing last week! Sending you sleep vibes I hope you get them and get some rest 😴

seasider18 in reply to Secret47062 years ago

We are in Eastbourne and about 300 yards from the sea. So we can get fresh air and space but still too many around without masks. In the last two weeks we have sadly got into the Top Twenty Covid infection list. At least we had out first vaccination on December 19th but the second one has been cancelled for the moment.Tonight there is a gale force wind and rain howling round our building to keep me awake.

seasider18 in reply to Secret47062 years ago

No improvement in the New Year, I'm in my second consecutive night without sleep. I had about 2 1/2 hours on Monday starting at 6am. So I went to bed very tired last night before midnight. All the usual problems too warm, hips uncomfortable but no actual pain and unable to get comfortable enough to sleep. Have been up and down several times. Melatonin's effect seems not to wear off until early afternoon the next day so I'm reluctant to take it. Had Camomile tea about and hour before bed but unlike my usual milk it lays heavily in my stomach and is another distraction. It's now 4.15 and I see no sleep on the horizon. I hope that others are faring better.

Eleanor472 years ago

Hi, Secret. I’m so sorry to hear how much you’re struggling. I’m in a similar situation, and I’m currently trying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI). A resource that’s helped me with CBTI is Insomnia Coach, a free app developed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Also, I’ve found it really helpful to see a therapist who specializes in anxiety management.

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