[Sleepy sally]

Hello Iv battled with insomnia since I was in my early 20’s I have a lot of anxiety. I’m now 56. I used to take Tylenol pm almost every nite. My insomnia would come and go all through my life. Three years my insomnia returned my doctor put me on Zoloft. It really helped with my anxiety and sleep problems. I stopped taking it six months ago and was sleeping fine till the last two months. I went back on Zoloft, but it didn’t work for me this time. So my doctor put me on trazadone. My sleep is irregular good nite, then no sleep, fall asleep middle of the nite then wake up. I’m so tired and frustrated.!!!

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forum, “Sleepy Sally” — and thank you for sharing those positive insights! From your post, we can tell that:

1. Pills don’t seem to be generating sleep (if they were, you wouldn’t be here!)
2. You can sleep without medication
3. You do not need medication to sleep

So, now the issue just becomes how do we strengthen your natural ability to sleep so there’s no longer any temptation to reach for a pill that you know from experience isn’t going to be helpful over the long-term?

Ultimately, I think the answer could very well lie in implementing evidence-based cognitive and behavioral techniques that address the thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate sleep disruption.

We cannot control sleep, but we can control our sleep-related thoughts and behaviors in a way that builds sleep drive, strengthens the body clock, and lowers arousal. When we do this, insomnia cannot survive for long because we starve it of the ingredients it needs to survive.

Even after 30 or 40 years of insomnia, you can sleep well again — Sally had insomnia for 60 years and is now doing great. If Sally can do it, you can, too!

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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.

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