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I haven’t been able to sleep for almost 3 months. I’m living a nightmare.
I have 2 children and I feel like I’m no longer their mum as can’t do much anymore.
Sleeping pills aren’t working much. They work the first day then it doesn’t. The side effects are awful.
This was caused due to work when I handed my notice in but realised that I’d made a mistake but they wouldn’t let me retract my notice. Then I went for a job internally and they took forever to let me know if I got the job. Meanwhile my anxiety got a worse which led to insomnia.
I did get the job and I managed to go in for 2 weeks on very little sleep but in the body just gave up and I’ve had to be signed off until I get my sleep sorted.
I used to be so active and sociable and now I don’t do much and I get panic attacks.
I want to get back to my old self, I need to for my family but I feel like I’m getting worse not better.
My sleep never used to be a problem as I always slept 7.5 hours solid and I miss it so much.
Your not alone I so feel for you I’m in exactly the same boat. Never had sleeping problems before then I stared to get bad anxiety and it affected my sleep also to the point where I had to leave work. I’m a grandparent whose raising my 8 year old granddaughter so like you I have to try and some how function. I’ve had many no sleep nights and to make matters worse my doc gave me antidepressants and sleeping meds and one or the other gave me horrible dreams and now I’ve got scared of the dreams which makes going to sleep harder. I’m desperate to like you but don’t know what the Answer is I’m seeing a psychologist but can only afford to go once every 3 weeks so very little progress is happening. Could you see a mental health expert CBT does work for this but it takes time like everything there’s no miracle cure
Thanks for your response and I’m sorry that you’re going through this as well.
I’ve seen a therapist but I can’t say it’s helping. I’m due to go on a CBT course on 4th Oct but it’s so far away. My doctor is great and very supportive but even he doesn’t know what to suggest .
On the rare days that I sleep well I still wake up feeling sad and miserable as I know know what the next day will bring.
He prescribed me pregablin which I took last night and I did sleep thank God.
He also gave me anti depressants last week but I’ve switched to this as the side effects were awvul.
Fingers crossed that your CBT and drugs help you soon and you can rest without the nightmares.
Wish there was a magic wand.
I’m due to go back to work on Tuesday. Can’t see that happening.
I’m sure you will find the CBT helps. Take care it’s nice to feel not so alone. Just remember one of the things a psychologist told me was the body ends up resetting itself in time. I know you don’t believe it now but you will get better ☺
Hello Hppositve and let me say first of all, that the cause of your insomnia is not particularly unusual. Many cases of insomnia are triggered by a specific event or series of events (in your case, the mistaken resignation). Sleep disruption at times like this is completely normal and happens to most people.
Unfortunately, what can then happen, is once the stressful event passes — in your case, getting the new job — sleep problems remain. This normally happens because as soon as we are affected by sleep issues, we begin to pay more attention to our sleep than ever before.
This increased level of attention activates the body’s arousal system, which makes sleep more difficult. As sleep becomes even more difficult, we become even more worried about sleep. We then try new behaviors such as spending more time in bed or canceling plans due to sleep. This combination of worries and behaviors related to sleep continue to make sleep worse — and this creates a vicious cycle of ever-worsening sleep and ever-increasing sleep-related worries.
Fortunately, these can all be addressed using a combination of cognitive and behavioral techniques. There’s more good news, too — since you have only been experiencing sleep issues for less than three months, you will find it easier to improve your sleep using CBT-I (and results will occur more quickly) compared to someone who has been living with insomnia for longer.
I am sure you will find the CBT course to be helpful. Is it a CBT course specifically designed for insomnia? It’s important to make sure you are taking a CBT-I course because it contains components specific to sleep that a generalized course of CBT may not include.
Finally, I would encourage you to try going in to work. I have outlined the reasons why in this post.
I hope this is helpful.
—If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.
The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.
Thanks Martin
I have been signed off for 2 weeks but I’m keen to go back to work as I hate being at home trying to fill up days. I used to live going into work.
My problem is anxiety now about going to sleep. You’re right, all I think about is my sleep and whether or not I’ll sleep at night.
How do I stop doing this? I’ve tried reflexology, acupuncture, I’ve spoken to a therapist ( not sleep therapist) so I know that I’m doing so much so try and fix it.
My husband has told me to stop doing anything more and just stick to the pills as I need to just sleep and focus on one thing at a time to see if works. Once I’m in a regular rythm then I can gradually come off the pills and return to work.
I’m on a one day course next week which is sleep course but I’m not sure if it’s a cbti course.
Please tell me how can I stop thinking about sleep and what else should I be doing?
Thanks
I wish I could answer your question in a simple forum post! First, I suggest reading more about cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.
As a general overview, learn more about what ‘normal’ sleep is, how the sleep system works, and what disrupts the sleep system. Next, make sure you have an appropriate sleep schedule. Then, make sure you get out of bed when unable to sleep. Finally, practice relaxation techniques. Sleep hygiene can be helpful but it’s unlikely to fix insomnia. All these techniques take time (and often require a lot of support to help you stick with them).
I cover all these steps in a lot of detail in my insomnia coaching course (which also includes personalized, one-on-one feedback, advice, and support). As you know, sleeping pills are not a long-term solution for insomnia.
—If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.
The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.
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