[active_compassion]

I am reluctant to keep taking ambien because it is so mentally addicting, and as a result my fear towards not being able to sleep has worsened. I fear bedtime and my anxiety over going to bed has skyrocketed. I will literally stay awake all night long in tears because I cannot sleep and have lost all confidence in my ability to sleep. Days go by where it feels like I’m not even closing my eyes. So frustrating and exhausting.

[GladysC]

I too take Ambien and feel the same way about using it, like I’m habituating myself to it. I’m on 5 mg and used to be on 10, so I think I’m making progress. Something I’ve tried recently, which seems to work just as effectively, is cutting the 5 mg tablets in half. Even 2.5 mg seems enough to help me feel sleepy. Then, if I awaken at 2 AM, I take the other half. Skipping a night of ambien completely is now less difficult, which I’ve done from time to time, but sadly I still use it if for no other reason than a psychological crutch.

[active_compassion]

Thank you so much for the great feedback. I was on 10 mg and now I’m on 5 mg as well.

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forum, active_compassion. First of all, let me tell you this — you CAN sleep! We never lose the ability to sleep — when we have been awake for long enough, sleep will always happen and the body will always generate, at the very least, the minimum amount of sleep we need.

Often, it becomes difficult for the body to generate more than this minimum when we try to get involved in the natural and independent process of sleep. So, as we try to (quite understandably, I might add!) make sleep happen by putting pressure on ourselves to sleep or putting effort into sleep we risk making sleep even worse — and this, in turn, generates difficult thoughts and emotions such as anxiety.

The real key here is to get rid of effort, to allow sleep to happen as and when it wants to happen. This involves learning to accept wakefulness at night, and even to embrace it. It can be a long journey to get to this point — and we often have to implement new habits along the way that can be quite challenging — but it’s a destination that can be reached!

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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.

[active_compassion]

Thank you for your wisdom. I’m on day 10 of your 2 week program and I feel like you know exactly what is going on in my heart and mind.

[Martin Reed]

I hope that is reassuring (rather than creepy!) by demonstrating that what you are going through isn’t unique or unusual — and so it can be addressed!

—

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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