[KGinHB]

Hello, I’m a 58yo male who has had sleep issues on and off since childhood. I first remember having insomnia when I was about 10, prior to a cross-country move. The first 20 years or so of my career I worked mostly early morning or overnight shifts. I went to work many times on only an hour or two of sleep. I have had trouble sleeping while traveling; I once spent a 2-week vacation to Italy with severe insomnia and felt like a walking zombie. About 8 years ago, during a stressful period of very little sleep over several nights, I had a panic attack and passed out while in a movie theater during the daytime. I’ve taken a pill to help me sleep ever since.
Like everyone, I tend to sleep less when stressed. And if it goes beyond a couple nights, I tend to get quite upset and frustrated with myself. I really hate not sleeping and not feeling my best. Lots of scar tissue there, I guess you could say. I found this site during a recent bout of insomnia and am interested to read about and learn from others’ struggles and successes.

[Scott]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your story!

It’s not uncommon to have nights of disrupted sleep when we experience a stressful event in our life. It only becomes a problem when we begin to change our thoughts and behaviors about our sleep issue. As you mentioned, if it goes beyond a couple of nights, you begin to become stressed, and that’s completed understandable, but what are you thinking of when that occurs?

Scott J

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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.

[KGinHB]

Hi Scott,
Thanks for the reply. In answer to your question, I think about, well, basically, everything. All sorts of thoughts, some random and some not so random, tend to run through my mind when I’m lying awake in bed. It’s as if I’ve pressed “play” on my brain and the internal running dialogue just goes. Sometimes, it’s song lyrics, or movie quotes, or conversations I’ve had, or intend to have. I used to get extremely upset at myself and really get worked up; at least I don’t do that anymore!
And when I’m in a period of insomnia, but not in bed, it’s pretty much all I can think about: how am I going to get through this day with so little sleep? What can I do to stay awake today? Will I sleep better tonight? What if I don’t? And on and on.
Thanks again!

[Scott]

We have much less control over what thoughts come and go than we think and trying to get rid of or escape our thoughts usually perpetuates the issue which leads to even more worry. Most of our thoughts are unhelpful and they don’t harm us until you begin to believe in them. If I said, “you won’t sleep good tonight” versus “you’re a 3-legged pink giraffe”, the first one probably gives you some anxiousness because you’ve chosen to believe in that thought and not the second thought. Remember, our thoughts aren’t the absolute truth and we shouldn’t believe everything we think. What if you simply told your mind, “thank you for that thought” when a sleep-related thought arrives – because they will keep coming – and then continue engaging in the activity you were doing when it arrived? Acknowledge the thought and let it pass like clouds in the sky! Do you think that would help or do you have another strategy that might be beneficial in improving your relationship with your thoughts?

Hope that helps,
Scott J

—

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.

[Dan10780]

Wow! You sure have been battling a long time. Myself it just started happening about a month ago. How do you do it? I see you rely on sleep aids. I have tried them and when they work they help but don’t always work. Is there any else you do that’s helped? Appreciate any feedback you may have.

[KGinHB]

Hey Dan10780,
Yeah, Insomnia and I are no strangers. It’s certainly tough sometimes. I do know that I’ve been through it before … many times … and I know I’ll come out the other side okay. I started taking a benzo when I was in a really bad stretch, after I had tried a couple AdvilPM’s that really tripped me out. Not fun. It’s not perfect, but it’s worked pretty well for me, though I am thinking about going off those as I learn to better use CBT-I.
My usual plan is to make sure I do something fun, something outside, something with friends or family, eat healthy, get some exercise, and remind myself to just be in the present moment, and know that I’m okay right now.

[Dan10780]

I hear ya. I am a newbie in this insomnia thing and it’s like you said no fun. I have tried over the counters and they worked when they want to. After which you seem to become immune to them. I have been trying to be more active outside as well but I’m in Chicago and the weather isn’t always good this time of year. I was doing better when I was when we had some nice days. I hope you are at least getting some sleep these days. I last week was really good for me but this week has been challenging. I’m trying to do the same thing and go to bed around the same time everyday. I guess I’m just gonna have bad nights here and there until I get back on track

[Dan10780]

And you are not alone with frustration and beating yourself up. I have done that as well. I am learning to do as Martin says. Just know that your body gave you just enough sleep that day to make it through. Basically take all the burdens off us because if we are stressed we probably won’t sleep too good. I found when I listened to that I did better.

[Author]

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