[Happy inside]

Hey everybody,

I’m having a really bad time, and I’m desperately reaching out for some advice, or hope, or reassurance. Since August I have had trouble sleeping, it’s been taking a toll on me and getting exponentially worse every week. I cannot shake the sauce or the fear that I’m never going to sleep again. Is this a common fear that people think when they can’t sleep?

I keep thinking if I don’t sleep for another night I’m gonna go crazy. How can I stop thinking? Will I go crazy? I sleep for 20 to 60 minute increments. I’m waking up every hour to hour and a half but I believe I’m only in stage one. Likely because I’m super anxious about not sleeping, but nothing is helping me settle down and settle the thoughts down and settle the fear down. I’m on the verge of going on disability because I’m not sleeping which sounds stupid lol. I feel that the fear of never sleeping again is much bigger than me right now, I’m usually pretty good at settling it down, but it feels so big that nothing I think of is going to settle it down. I’m completely convinced that I’m gonna lose my mind to go crazy without sleep or that I’ll never sleep again, this is one of the worst episodes I’ve ever had.

Can anybody share or experiences on serious lack of sleep and still being OK on a couple hours a night? Thanks in advance.

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forum. You are not alone.

What you are going through is difficult and it is not unique or unusual. Those fears and thoughts are completely understandable, they are legitimate, and I think they are quite normal in the circumstances, too!

All those thoughts and stories are coming from a good place — your mind, doing its job and looking out for you (thanks, brain!).

As for how to stop thinking upon command, if you ever come up with the solution to that I think you’d become a billionaire! If your experience tells you that trying to fight or avoid certain thoughts and feelings doesn’t work — that they always come back anyway — perhaps that approach is making things more difficult.

What you are going through is hard so I would encourage you to be kind to yourself, and to consider whether an alternative approach might be helpful if your current approach to all this difficult stuff isn’t getting you any closer to where you want to be.

I hope there’s something useful here.

—

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.

[Author]

Posts