[Mcisterpf]

I’m on my 3rd night of no sleep. I believe it started due to stress, but now it’s anxiety and worry about not being able to sleep that’s causing my insomnia. This happens maybe 2 to 3 times a year and has been ongoing for about 6 to 8 years now. Unfortunately I do EVERYTHING that’s recommended for a good night’s sleep to no avail. Sleep still eludes me. By the 3rd night I enter despair and feel like I’m going crazy. It usually lasts a week every time and by the end I feel like I should be in an institution.  I have been to the doctor several times and tried many different sleep meds, they don’t work, in fact they have the opposite affect. Any advice for someone who’s heard and tried it all?

[Deb]

That’s how my insomnia started 2 months ago. The stress was gone but the insomnia stayed. I tried the pills, hypnotism, relaxation tapes, you name it, but they didn’t help. The pills just made things worse. I also understand the despair, and felt like I’m going crazy and just need to be put away (and hit over the head with something hard that would knock me out so I could finally sleep!)

I’ve realized that insomnia is a learned behavior, so it needs to be unlearned. But you need specialized help from someone who knows how to treat this and not just someone to give you pills. I would start with reading a success story by one of the clients here, where she talks about what finally worked for her after 10 years of insomnia. Go to the forum on “Sleep restriction” and scroll down to Martin Reed’s comment with a link to her. Or you can try this link –  https://insomniacoach.com/forums/topic/you-can-do-it

This book also looks good which was recommended by a member here: “End Insomnia Struggles” by Colleen Ehrnstrom. This is written by psychologists who specialize in treating insomnia.

[Author]

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