[Drowsy]

Whats the longest y’all have ever gone without sleep? For me it was about three days I think. I’m in the middle of another bout with insomnia, have been awake for over twenty four hours.

I was diagnosed with OCD, anxiety, and depression in 2006, and though I rarely get insomnia, when I do get it I have it BIG TIME, because my OCD kicks in and I start obsessing over whether or not I will ever sleep again (crazy, I know) and worrying about the health effects of not sleeping, even about dying. I obsess over whether or not I will suddenly pass out from exhaustion or have to go to the hospital to get a shot or something to help me sleep, but so far thats never happened.

I have a prescription for Klonopin, but I’m often reluctant to take it, because I’m afraid it won’t work, but it always has. I’m about to take one now, but I’m really looking for reassurance from others who have had insomnia for days and how they deal with it.

I know that death is possible, though unlikely, from extreme insomnia, and this thought is the most torturous part of having insomnia. Can anyone here help put me at ease until the Klonopin kicks in? Thanks.

[Carls]

Hi Drowsy

 

I know how you feel?? I have regular nights where I do not sleep longest is probably about 7 days.

sleep deprivation cannot kill you though.

[Martin Reed]

Hello Drowsy. As mentioned by @Carls, chronic insomnia is not going to kill you. In fact, there is no evidence to state that chronic insomnia causes any health problem whatsoever:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoX04HJihNI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnVHQpVmFLw

Have you asked your doctor whether he or she thinks you would be a good candidate for CBT-I?

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[Drowsy]

@Carls, thank you for your words of support. I wish you the best in dealing with your insomnia.

@Martin, thank you for your reply. I fell asleep not long after I took my medication, and every night since then I’ve slept fine. I’ve been practicing good sleep hygiene this week and will continue every night to do so, and I think my previous failure to do this (I often enjoyed sleeping during the day and being a night owl) is what contributed to my insomnia.

I haven’t asked my doctor about CBTI, as I only rarely have insomnia. But I will do so if you think it’s a good idea.

I’ve had regular checkups for years, and I don’t think my occasional insomnia is due to any sort of health issue other than OCD, which sometimes kicks in after a sleepless night, because I become obsessed with the fear of not being able to fall asleep the next night. But I take 200 mg of Zoloft every day, and I feel like my OCD is largely under control.

Again, thank you for your response, and I will certainly get back in touch with this forum if I have any further issues.

[Author]

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