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Hi, I’m new on here and my sleep deprivation has got so bad that I feel dizzy everytime I move, the only time I don’t have it is when i’m sat down not moving. It’s hard to explain what it is like, it’s not spinning it’s more like when your really ill and you can’t even stand without feeling ‘funny’. ! I worry there’s more going on health wise but I know i’m a healthy person and it’s only got this bad since my sleep has got worse.
Does anyone else have anything like this??
I had dizziness when I was taking sleeping pills. One night I even fainted. Scared my poor husband half to death! Are you taking sleeping pills? Other than that, when I’m sleep deprived I tend to bump into things.
Hope you get the help you need. There are some good books listed on this forum with techniques that work.
Also, Martin Reed has two pages on this site that explain the two methods really well. They are Sleep Restriction and Stimulus Control.
Thanks for your reply Deb. Unfortunately i’m sure like a lot of people I’ve tried everything from stimulus control, sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, pills (which I don’t take anymore) etc…nothing works but hey ho, just keep persevering!
Sorry that didn’t work for you. I’m trying them both now and am on my 4th day. It’s not easy. Slept only 1 & 1/2 hours last night. Hope this works.
eugh how awful. when I did sleep restriction I couldn’t sleep at all, I ended up spending practically the whole night on the sofa awake, after 2 weeks I was such a mess from sleep deprivation I had to stop. Hopefully you will have a better experience with it, I hear it can work well for some. good luck!
Hello Lindy and welcome to the forum. Are you saying that you spent two weeks on the couch every night and managed absolutely no sleep (0 minutes) during those two weeks?
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Thank you. I don’t think it’s possible to not sleep for 2 weeks is it?! I of course slept for a couple of hours here and there, mostly in the mornings. but it wasn’t improving and I could barely function, my business was suffering and it was impossible for me to continue. If I had seen some improvement I would have persevered but there wasn’t.
You’re right — it’s not really possible to go without any sleep for two weeks! I was trying to challenge the phrase in your original post that stated “I couldn’t sleep at all” because all-or-nothing thinking is very common among those of us with sleep issues and can further perpetuate the problem.
If you practiced sleep restriction and stimulus control correctly and without fail, every night (throughout the night) for two weeks, you should have seen some improvements. Can you tell me more about how you implemented these techniques?
Although this may not apply in your case, many people try these evidence-based techniques for a short period of time (or without absolute consistency) and when they do not see results they give up on them prematurely.
—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.
I tried the stimulus control method by myself first but was just making myself crazy and not getting any sleep. Now I’m doing it with Martin’s support and guidance. I’m only on day 4 of implementing the techniques and it’s not easy. But at least I know I have help to make sure I’m doing it the right way this time. I’ve heard that the first week is the hardest. I’ll be reporting on my progress in another forum topic, “Sudden severe insomnia.”
I will check on your progress deb, I hope it goes well!
Martin – yes I was aware you were ‘challenging’ what I said! It was over a year ago that I last did it so I can’t remember exact details, but I was going to bed later (at the same time every night) and setting my alarm for the same time every morning. I would go to bed and if I didn’t fall asleep in 20 minutes I would get up for a bit and repeat. The problem I struggled with was that I never felt ‘sleepy’. The more tired I got the more hyper aware my brain became. I would eventually get to the point of such exhaustion I would basically pass out and get one good nights sleep but the next day I would go back to not feeling sleepy/not sleeping again. So yes, I would go to bed, get up 20 mins later, read for a bit, go back to bed, get up etc and that went on for most of the night every night until I would sometimes get a couple of hours of bad quality sleep in the morning.
Just to add I live a healthy lifestyle, I don’t have caffeine or sugary things, I always switch screens off and read my book at least an hour before bed and basically do all the things I am supposed to.
I actually don’t have the same sleep problems now that I had then, back then I couldn’t get to sleep, now I can get to sleep but no matter what I do I wake up after 6 hours (but sometimes less), I know that doesn’t sound bad but I need much more than that and I am so exhausted it is making me ill. maybe i’m getting less than I think.
I watched a programme about a sleep clinic a couple of years back and one girl on it suffered trauma when she was younger which they believed was the cause of her insomnia, the sleep restriction didn’t work for her and the professionals told her she needed to see a therapist about the trauma because her sleep won’t improve until that is dealt with. I wonder if it maybe the same for me. I do still get nightmares so I know it still affects me subconsciously, but I can’t afford therapy so there is nothing I can do if that is the case!!
I am a counselor and I would agree with the professionals on that show, that trauma needs to be healed before certain conditions such as insomnia will go away. I know you think you can’t afford therapy, but maybe you can’t afford NOT to get therapy. Think of how the insomnia is impacting the quality of your life.
I’ve been reading a book called, Unlearn Your Pain, by Howard Schubiner. He’s also written a book called, Unlearn Your Anxiety and Depression. He talks about how people with chronic pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, etc. need to address and heal their trauma first in order for the other conditions to go away. The book is also a workbook for doing work by yourself on your trauma. I personally think it’s best to get help though. Trauma takes place through relationships and it will heal through relationships as well.
Just my two cents.
Thanks again for your insight. I will check out that book. I actually can’t afford therapy, my business only brings in a low income despite me working 55hrs a week. I struggle to pay the bills and rent each month and the only money left over after all my outgoings is money for food. If I could afford therapy I would do it without question believe me, I want nothing more than to overcome my demons.
Thanks anyway for all you advice and help, all the best
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