[Walter64]

Hi to all fellow sufferers…..I’m pretty much the same as most on here, sleep anxiety and the impact it’s had on my life is enormous, spanning over 30 years, with 4 major bouts, currently awful again….it’s time to try something different, and hope I can get a hold on this acceptance and commitment stuff….any tips to start me off would be greatly appreciated!

[Bronte]

Hi Walter64
I’m new to the course too. I’m really hoping to gain something from Martin’s techniques. I am enjoying the freedom of no rituals or aids to try and control sleep, as he suggests. Like you, I’ve had insomnia for a long time and I understand we are just stuck in a mindset and need to retrain our brains.
I’m currently working on allowing the negative thoughts to happen and am not trying to block them or distract myself. I try to say thanks to my brain for protecting me and reassuring myself that wakefulness is not a threat.
I’ve answered a few other questions so don’t want to repeat myself too much but just wanted to say you are not alone and I am going to trust the process and try to learn all I can from this course.
Good luck and keep sharing how it’s going for you.

[Walter64]

Thanks for the reply Bronte – I’m extremely low and also anxious, so getting motivated is very challenging, but I will try to push on, even though I’m now effectively 4 nights without any sleep…..

[Bronte]

Oh no I’ve been there and really sympathise!!
Are you doing the sleep window? I know when you have had no sleep for days it just cripples you and you lose the motivation to do anything. I frequently have the same problem and know how desperate you feel and how depressing it is.
I have to say that when that happens I usually end up taking something to help me sleep just for a break!! Then when I get a reasonable night I can calm myself down and rethink what I’m going to do.
I still believe that Martin’s course is the right thing to do as we have to retrain our brain. Have you done it in the past? It says you are not a client now?
If I was you I would try and get out with some friends or family. Don’t talk about your insomnia, just have some laugh and normality, however bad you feel. I find being with people picks me up and helps me find perspective.
You can sleep again and your body will give in and sleep eventually. Try to have some life regardless, it definitely makes you feel better and I know hard it is to do but it is the best therapy you need right now.
Don’t give up, you will get better, stay positive as it is temporary.

[Walter64]

Hi again – I’ve come off sleeping tablets and tranquilizers, but am still taking antidepressants…..I cannot sink into a world of drug support, so will have to try, somehow, to be resilient…..I’ve had so much emotional trauma over it all……I have no support from my family, and any friends are too busy really to help me unfortunately

[Bronte]

I’m sorry to hear that and generally do agree to take the drug free route if you can.
I wasn’t suggesting that your friends or family help you, what I meant was to see friends without discussing your problems, but just to socialise and change your focus. It’s hard to stop thinking about your situation and worrying about sleep if you are at home alone – so if you go out it moves your focus and helps you to get some perspective. I know it’s very hard for other people to understand true insomnia so I mostly don’t bother talking about it.
I hope you can get out and lift your mood somehow. Sleep will come eventually. Good luck

[Psalm91]

Hi Martin,
Sorry to hear about your lack of support, maybe this forum can help in this regard. I’ve found that unless someone has been through it, it’s really hard for them to understand the amount of pain and suffering sleep anxiety can bring. However, I have watched enough testimonials to believe that you’re gonna be alright in time. So, from one sufferer to another, hang in there! Better days are ahead.

• This reply was modified 2 weeks ago by Psalm91.

[Walter64]

Thank you Bronte…..what’s your journey been like?

[Author]

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