[fromdebal]

For the last 10 months I have been experiencing insomnia. On an average, I have been sleeping for 4 hrs, with max being 5 hrs, and min being 0 hrs. I have been managing it somehow.
However, the worst stretch is going on now. For the last 3 nights, I could sleep only for total of 2 hrs (that is on the 2nd night). The last night was absolutely a zero-sleep night. And also developed a sensation like everytime I was about to fall asleep, I was feeling a deep panic right through my heart, and that woke me up everytime, and i started having palpitations.
These months of insomnia taught me how to handle thoughts, but this sensation was really scary and I don’t know how to handle it. I am really afraid of going to bed tonight. Please help.
Thanks in advance.

[Donika]

You’re not alone. I feel the same. I’ve had the worst insomnia for the last 4 weeks and I’m scared every night going to bed that I won’t sleep at all.

[Martin Reed]

That sounds really difficult — have you discussed those sensations you experience as you fall asleep with your doctor? If there’s no explanation for them, they might be hypnic jerks — and, if that’s the case, you might find this video (and all the comments that come with it) useful: Why you jerk yourself awake every time you try to fall asleep (and what to do about it).

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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.

[fromdebal]

Thanks Martin for your reply. Your podcasts are my inspiration.
After 3 sleepless nights, I could sleep for 3 hrs (very deep sleep) on the 4th night. From then on the physical problem that I mentioned is gone. On the 5th and 6th night, I had very light sleep (almost awake) without a minute of deep sleep.

I think, my problem is fear of sleep and analysis if sleep althrough the day. Somehow if I can cope with these thoughts, I will be able to sleep normally back again. But I don’t know hoe to cope with them till now. I have practiced mindfulness and ACT, but yet to find results.

[Martin Reed]

Fear sure can feel like a problematic emotion – and without it, none of us would be alive today!

If ACT and mindfulness was getting you results, what would be different?

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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.

[fromdebal]

ACT was getting me results mostly to cope up with tiredness due to sleeplessness and also during wakefulness at night, but not with the sleep itself. ACT and mindfulness also helped me to deal with thoughts, but when it comes to physical sensation like palpitation and muscle stiffness due to anxiety, I am not sure how to apply them.

[fromdebal]

During last eight days a pattern is sort of emerging that I hadn’t slept for a minute for 3 nights, then on the 4th I slept for 3 hrs (deep sleep) and again the next 3 days and the 8th night were similar.

[Martin Reed]

Neither ACT nor mindfulness can make sleep happen or get rid of difficult thoughts and feelings — because none of those things can be controlled!

What ACT and mindfulness can do is help us respond to this difficult stuff in a more workable way. A way that moves us away from ongoing struggle so we can act more independently of it and better live the kind of life we want to live.

The less sleep and our thoughts and feelings consume our energy, attention, and focus, the less influence they might start to have over our lives. And, if they lose their influence, what remaining role do they have?

—

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.

[fromdebal]

Thanks Martin for all your help. Now I can sleep better, although far from normal sleep that I used to have before these 10 months. But now I am being able to have less anxiety related to sleep, less thought about sleep althrough the day, more relaxed during bedtime, and also less annoyed with the nighttime wakefulness. Overall I can feel that I am progressing toward better sleep and better quality of life. Again, thank you so much for inspiration.

[Martin Reed]

You’re welcome – you’re the one doing all the work, exploring a new approach to all this difficult stuff! I hope you’re able to give yourself credit for that!

—

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.

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