[tmd11]

I first experienced major insomnia 13 years ago, where I was up for 5 days/nights straight. After countless docs, experts, tests, holistic approaches, I ended up in a psych ward where I was put on an anti-psychotic for the side effect of sleepiness. Had to come off in June due to metabolic syndrome from it. Again, same insomnia inflicted me and they put me back on same med. I need to come off and I need to starts CBT I. Been seeing a therapist for this and she told me I have perpetuating factors and grieving that need to be dealt with first. So I’m stuck at this point. I don’t get sleepy and I am up for days most often, occasionally getting 2 hours of sleep by day 4 or 5. So that’s it in a nutshell. It’s terrible and has hurt my relationships and my functioning. No job, no exercise often due to pain and dizziness… Just feeling stuck and hopeless.

[Martin Reed]

I’m really sorry to hear about the sleep issues you have been facing for so long, and that your therapist isn’t helping you implement CBT-I techniques — many CBT therapists aren’t actually trained in sleep. When it comes to insomnia, looking for the “I” at the end of “CBT” is very important (I’d also recommend listening to Episode 7 of the Insomnia Coach Podcast for more about this).

Although harder, it is possible to implement CBT-I techniques in a self-directed way — I would suggest that you start by allotting an appropriate amount of time for sleep (based on average nightly sleep duration taken over at least one or two weeks) to help build a bit of consistency and hopefully help you recognize some sleepiness cues.

Also, try to remain active during the day. Inactivity can actually perpetuate insomnia and intensify feelings of fatigue.

I hope this helps.

—

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.

[tmd11]

My sleep window based on my average sleep times would be 1 hour. I hardly sleep at all if any. I run 7-9 miles a day when I’m not dizzy, and am busy all day long. I’m very active as I have kids.
During the one hour window I don’t feel sleepy so I end up staying awake even after trying to sleep. This leads to no sleep at all for many days.

[Martin Reed]

If you kept a record of your nightly sleep duration every night for two weeks, are you saying that this would average one hour per night?

—

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.

[tmd11]

Yes I’ve logged for 9 weeks and the average sleep is 1 hour a night every week.

[Martin Reed]

I am not sure it’s biologically possible to average one hour of sleep every night for nine weeks. I suspect you may be getting a little bit more sleep than you think you are — it might be worth considering whether you are experiencing paradoxical 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.

[tmd11]

I have read and heard you talk about paradoxical insomnia. I do not believe this is occurring with me. I know I’m awake when I’m awake… I hear every little sound, smell any little smell, and am always ready to fight or “flight.” I hear the train every hour, and I wear earplugs… I don’t get sleepy. That’s the main problem. I am not sleepy. In fact, I feel very alert at all times. I don’t have daytime fatigue either even from sleeping my average 1 hour per day/night. The thing that does bother me are headaches and eye pain. That’s mainly it. But I’m confused and can’t seem to get unmedicated sleep that is more than 2-3 hours. I’ve had 4 at times but without any medications, I usually don’t sleep at all. I feel that maybe having been on meds for 13 years has made me lose the ability to feel sleepy and I need to find out how to feel that. I believe my “sleep drive” you speak of is far too long… I can be awake 4 or 5 days without feeling sleepy. It’s like I have an on switch that gets stuck. And even after I go many days with no sleep, when I finally do sleep, it’s only a couple of hours. I have had sleep studies. They haven’t shown anything except active mind and wakefulness the entire night that I’m there. I don’t know what to do.

[Davy]

@tmd11 wow 13 years off this i have mine a year and a half.
not that i was a good sleeper before but i was getting 5 hours every night.
and now i have to see doctors cos i am in the same boat like you and the also put me on the antipsychotic. reading your story hit home hard.
I could have written your story.

[Author]

Posts