Feb
23
2010
Have I Got Insomnia Or Some Other Sleeping Disorder?
Posted by: Alan in Sleep Disorder, tags: Disorder, Have, Insomnia, Other, Sleeping, Some
I dont know why but i just cant get to sleep,i didnt drop off til after 4am this morning,and woke up at 8 and could’nt go back to sleep. My brain wont let me sleep and it’s really irritating,i’ve tried listening to music before bed,hot bath,but nothing works,i dont want to take tablets. I dont smoke,have caffeine or drink much alcohol so waht’s causing this?is it insomnia?
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February 23rd, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Yes, the inability to fall asleep, and then waking earlier than you should are both signs of insomnia.
I have had it for more than 20 years. There are several different types, and for most people, short-term treatment with an insomnia medication can be of great help. Talk to your doctor about it. I understand that you don’t want to take medication, but when your sleep cycle is completely messed up, that is sometimes the only way to get it regulated. Also, there are medications available now which are not habit forming, and can safely be taken for brief periods of time.
Explore your options, because one of the problems with insomnia is that you begin to build up a tremendous sleep debt, and that can really mess you up. It can lead to other problems, and also make your isomnia so bad it’s a lot harder to take care of.
Most doctors will start with working on what is called sleep hygiene, and those techniques work fairly well for many people. Responsible docs don’t go right to the drugs. So talk to your doc and see if he or she can help you out.
Best of luck.
February 23rd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
You didn’t mention taking any physical exercise. Do you?
February 23rd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
See sleepWAKING, and insomnia, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris in section 3. Exercise, earlier in the day/evening, so you are physically fatigued, and implement the treatments. It seems to be anxiety (worry) related. See anxiety treatments, at ezy-build on page 6. Set yourself a fixed limit for worrying about any particular subject, (say; 15 minutes) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even consider that subject again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life. Use the technique for reprogramming negative thoughts and internal monologue (self talk), on pages 2, and 2L, to help you in this, and consider carrying a wide rubber band in your pocket; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards. Practise one of the relaxation methods on page 2, in bed, after lights out. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. A direct link to it is on page 3c, where starred * and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o also refer. Either of the above is suitable for use in bed: use whichever works best for you, after trying them during the daylight hours.
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:01 pm
You first have to see your physician.
I had severe insomnia for months before I finally saw my doctor. I had the “Wake way too early” kind. No problem falling asleep though.
Nothing physical so I saw a counselor.
I was diagnosed as having major depression (depression can cause insomnia, but insomnia can cause depression too)
After several months, I’m off antidepressants and seeing my counselor about every 6 weeks instead of weekly.
I still am having some problems with my sleep, and if it doesn’t clear up soon I’m going back to my doctor.
The strange thing is even strong drugs like oxycontin (for a shoulder injury) taken while drinking didn’t allow me to sleep for more than 2 hours.
February 24th, 2010 at 2:54 am
you might have a sleep disorder, or you could have stress in your life even if your not aware of it. I this persists I would speak to a doctor about this. There are other possibilities for this.
February 24th, 2010 at 3:13 am
yes it is
i have it too, i didnt crash until 7am this morning and woke up at 7pm today… on a daily basis i crash around 3-4ish am and have only 3-4 hours of sleep, if i’m lucky 5 or 6
it could be many reasons, but if you say u dont drink caffeine, or smoke it could be maybe:
stress
depression
anxiety
fear
people say psychological help may work, they can help you cope out with whatever is causing you to stay awake. i’d do the same but i cant afford it. if your like i am where u cant afford it maybe wearing yourself out can work. i’ve started doing that since i hate taking tablets too and works sometimes. by the end of the day all I want to do is find the bed! try a hobbie that will ware you out or keep yourself really busy.
good luck!!
February 24th, 2010 at 3:34 am
yes
February 24th, 2010 at 9:36 am
Why not take tablets? it might be the only way of helping you. Try benadryl just once and see if it helps, it has always helped me get to sleep even at the worse times.
February 24th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
You don’t say how long this has been going on for. Our sleeping routines are upset from time to time but few people suffer from chronic sleeping disorders. Keep to your normal routine. No tv or music in the bedroom. If you’re not asleep within half an hour of getting in to bed then get up and have a warm drink. You say you have a hot bath – that’s not so good, a warm one is better with a few drops of lavender oil. Also good to remember is that we often sleep far better and longer than we think we do.
February 24th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Do you take naps during the day? Sometimes that interferes with your sleeping pattern. Also make sure that you don’t watch TV in your bedroom. Try to have a regular sleep time. These are just some of the sleep hygiene that one should follow. There are more….Try to research it on-line. LMK if it works.
Best of luck,
Genie