Insomnia and all-day panic

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Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
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  • #84930
    ddillon923
    ✘ Not a client

      Hi Martin and everyone,

      I’ve done Martin’s free course twice in the past four years, and it’s been so helpful.

      A few days ago, out of nowhere I started experiencing nonstop panic. It lasts almost all day. My optometrist figured out that it was in part due to a mistake in my prescription (I have convergence insufficiency so my eyes are very sensitive to such things) but my new glasses won’t arrive for 2-3 weeks. The panic, however, has not abated; I’m in close contact with my therapist about this.

      The problem now is sleep. The first night, I slept short but fine; but the 2-3 nights since have been really tough (1-2 hours of sleep). Last night was the worst yet but I practiced telling myself I wasn’t going to try to sleep, I was just going to rest and that made it more bearable.

      My question is how to deal with the insomnia when I still have two weeks+ to go until I can get my better glasses. The panic is compounded by fear of not sleeping. I am considering trying Trazodone to help with the anxiety as well as the insomnia so that I can calm the panic a little bit.

      #84955
      ddillon923
      ✘ Not a client

        Sigh, I took trazodone for two nights and it upset my stomach.
        Last night I fell asleep (before taking the medication) after using my thoughts to think about all my friends and pray for them. Then woke up almost immediately with a jerk. I was so weary afterward that I just couldn’t face lying there trying to manage my brain and doing more and more praying. I turned on the light and sat up, but was soooo weary doing that. In the past I have managed hypnic jerks by telling myself this is a good sign, that I’m going to sleep! But last night I just got so upset that I took trazodone. I slept some after this but not very long.
        How to deal with the weariness and depression in the middle of the night?

        What should I think about when I get into bed and I’m trying to go to sleep but trying not to try? Especially when I feel those little jerks responding with alarm to my beginning to fall asleep?

        #84956
        ddillon923
        ✘ Not a client

          Is it okay to just cry in the night?

          #85088
          Martin Reed
          ★ Admin

            Sorry to hear of that all-day panic. I can only imagine how difficult that must be and I am glad to hear that your superpower of self-advocacy led you to be in close contact with your therapist about it.

            It sounds as though you have been finding it helpful to give yourself the goal of rest (something you can control) rather than making sleep happen (something you cannot) when you go to bed.

            That, of course, doesn’t guarantee that sleep will happen but it does help create better conditions for sleep to happen and helps remove any pressure you might be putting on yourself to control what is out of your control.

            Something that stood out to me was you saying that you were “trying to manage your brain”. That might imply that you are trying to control your brain — and that can have a similar outcome to attempts to control sleep. It sets us up for an ongoing struggle.

            You don’t need to think about anything when you go to bed because sleep doesn’t care what you are thinking about! What can often make sleep so much more difficult is engaging in a battle with all these things at night, trying to fight or avoid them. After all, how likely is sleep to happen while we are waging war with insomnia and our minds?

            As for whether or not it’s OK to cry at night. Why would it not be OK? Crying often comes from natural, normal, and valid human feelings and emotions. You are a human being, not a robot. Things feel difficult because they are difficult. Please be kind to yourself. You are not alone.

            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.

            #85114
            ddillon923
            ✘ Not a client

              Thank you so much for your practical and very compassionate response, Martin.

              #85145
              ddillon923
              ✘ Not a client

                I want to add, for anyone who comes across this, that the DARE response book has been helping me immensely in recent days with the panic and anxiety. I came across it via Martin’s recommendation on this site a few days back and ordered the audiobook. Things are still very hard but I am already seeing improvement in my mental/emotional state through these techniques. I recommend it!!

              Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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