[JTthemillenial]

Hi, sleepy friends!

I finally worked up the courage to return to the forum and report on my improved sleep. It has been difficult to get myself to do this… you all probably understand why.

After about three months of trial and error with different treatments, which included medications, CBTi, and ACTi, a second go at Sleep Restriction Therapy really put me over the hump, and my sleep has been improving ever since. It really has amazed me how well the treatment has worked. For about six months now I have been sleeping almost normally, give or take a bad night here and there. I still freak out a bit when I don’t sleep as well as I would like, but every time it happens, I ALWAYS bounce back. Knowing I can recover from minor setbacks has booted my confidence tenfold and decreased my anxiety significantly. I am still somewhat traumatized by my experience of severe insomnia (the mere existence of it legitimately came as a SHOCK to me), and I suspect I will be for some time. But I am back to feeling well-rested about 98% of the time, and that’s the best outcome I can ask for.

Having access to this forum has been a huge help as well. Solidarity and encouragement is important. If you are reading this because you are struggling with sleep, I hope you find comfort in the community here. I also hope that CBTi helps you as well as it has helped me (chances are, it will).

Be well!

[Dazzio]

Hi JT
I absolutely soo happy for you and a little bit jealous to be honest. I remember seeing your posts back in October last year, I think we both started cbti at the same time as each other. I found it really good to but unfortunately I lost my will power coming up to the holidays as I just found the anxiety too much and just wanted to be normal for the holidays!!!! Anyway I am back at cbti again as I know it will work with time. What did you find most helpful and unhelpful during your journey, any tips would be greatly appreciated! Again I really am so happy for you JT, and I really hope soon I will be able to post a success story too

[JTthemillenial]

Hi Dazzio! One of the things I found most helpful was being able to remind myself that whenever I experienced discouraging setbacks, I could pick always pick myself up and continue working toward my goal of improved sleep. One of the most unhelpful things to me was the sense that others seemed to think I was overreacting, including my sleep therapist. Feeling like I was too distressed about it just made me feel more distressed, which made my recovery harder. I learned that there’s no right or wrong thoughts and feelings to have about insomnia, you just have to be extremely kind to yourself when things don’t go exactly the way you wish they would. There’s always an opportunity to get better.

Hope you’re doing well!

[Deb]

Yay for you, Jamie!

[Martin Reed]

Thank you so much for sharing your transformation! I appreciate you mentioning that you still experience some difficult nights from time to time — because they are a normal part of life and something that everyone experiences every now and then!

As you pointed out, what has changed is how you react to difficult nights. When we can learn to shrug them off and when we have confidence in our own natural ability to sleep, our sleep is able to get right back on track all by itself.

If sleep disruption ever sticks around for longer you now have a collection of skills that you can call upon — and you know that because they worked for you in the past, they will work for you again in the future!

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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.

[EddaK]

CONGRATULATIONS to you! I’m just starting with CBTI-I and reading the posts here. You give me hope. ?

[Author]

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