[Lauren21]

Hi all. After using CBT-i techniques and engaging with Martin’s work last year, I managed to overcome my acute bouts of insomnia earlier this year. In fact, for the last 6 months I had been sleeping quite well and thought I had completely overcome my issue in large part.
Until last week when I had a completely sleepless night out of nowhere. Usually I have been able to deal with nights like this, but for some reason, the following night I noticed I had some pretty significant anxiety around going to bed. This then led to a full week of very poor sleep, with my sleep anxiety increasing every day.
I have re-engaged with the CBT-i techniques such as sleep restriction/time in bed, however, very little seems to be diffusing the anxiety . It has become quite severe and I have had a huge knot/stomach ache for days; I don’t remember it ever being this bad before. At this point, I have now had 3 nights in a row of 0-2 hours sleep and although I can feel how tired and exhausted my body is, as soon as I might be about to fall asleep, my stomach drops and my body jolts me awake again. I am terrified that I might develop chronic insomnia. I consciously KNOW that my body knows what to do and will eventually overcome my arousal system and that I cannot control my sleep, however, this time around feels incredibly distressful. I am trying my absolute best to let go and not monitor for sleep, but my patience is wearing thin. I thought my sleep drive would have been super high by now, but it seems as though it’s still not enough.
I am so upset to be back here again and with such terrible anxiety. I’m also using the DARE approach to anxiety by just allowing it to be there, but nothing seems to be changing. I feel like I am losing my mind. Has anyone else found themselves in this situation? Any further help on how to diffuse this intense sleep anxiety?

[Angeli]

Hi Lauren!

It seems that the Adrenaline – Fear + Adrenaline + Fear system has installed itself. Hard to break this cycle. Adrenaline is responsible for all these upsets and stomach pains, bumps etc… and that’s where panic takes control of our terrible nights. Hard to sleep with a noise like that. The good thing about it is that you already know what to do and know that it will pass. The only way to break the cycle of madness is to face and accept whatever comes. Daniel Erichsen on you tube talks about acceptance and detachment from the results of his insomnia. And remember, insomnia feeds on panic. The more fear the more it grows and becomes stronger. Don’t feed her anymore. Happy and happy nights to you. (forgiveness for english)

[Chee2308]

Hello Lauren!
You will never recover as long as you continue to fear poor sleep. It’s fear that’s keeping you trapped in the cycle. Go to bed expecting poor sleep, every night if you have to, until you just get used to it that it no longer bothers you. Sleepless nights can’t continue indefinitely but the fear can. And sleep is still going to happen regardless of how you feel, having this fear is just a bothersome burden you choose to carry because you just can’t let it go!

[zac]

Hi Lauren,
I understand your situation and have recently been there, including the stomach pain. Something to consider, read my posts in the below link, especially my last post in that thread:

Does Sleep Restriction Therapy work with an underlying Anxiety/Depression cond.

Hope you get relieve soon.

Zac.

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