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Now I think about it I too get anxious easily and have done since I was young. The possibility of failing at an exam was a big no no and general feeling of nervousness is with me often. Perhaps this is the reason that when people like us get sleep issues its because the anxious people within us really get the insomnia going whereas a less anxious person handles it much better. There few days of poor sleep don't turn into a full blown insomnia problem. Hope I'm making sense. Please keep in touch
'bluesafe' wrote:Hello all insomnialanders! I'm glad to have come across this group and hope to benefit others as well as myself. I live in Toronto, Ontario Canada with my wife and 4 kids… yes, you read that correctly… 4 kids. How do I do it you ask? With patience, love and an awewome wife. 🙂
Anyway, I'm here because I've been suffering from chronic insomnia for the past 3.5 months starting on August 11th, 2012… I know the exact date because it's the day my father was submitted to the hospital for pnuemonia… he's doing much better now. I first thought that the stress of my father (he's 78) being in the hospital with pneumonia was the reason for my lack of sleep… a natural conclusion one would think. However, the sleepless nights simply continued and I started to fear that I wouldn't be able to sleep well anymore… and that's when the “sleep anixiety” kicked it. Constant thoughts during the day that I'm not going to be able to sleep, that I will get sick over time, lose my job, not be there for my family, and on and on…
I tried some self-hypnosis techniques but they only helped a little in the beginning. I refuse to take any prescription sleeping pills as I know they'll be short term relief. I have a naturopath whos' given me some homeopathic remedies which are helping with my overall anxiety and mental health but not the insomnia very well. I've recently come across CBT for insomnia and after reading through how it works and the long-term relief it's supposed to bring, I'm encouraged. I've been keeping a daily journal and re-enforcing positive thoughts through out the day as well as limiting my sleep to specific hours…. it's been working well for the last week and even though there's been a night or two without great sleep (<5hrs) I'm encouraged and feeling much better overall.
So, I know that's a long intro but I had to get that out there in case anyone can relate…
I look forward to exploring the site, trying some of the techniques and sharing my experiences…
Happy Sleeping!
BS
Hello
I can so relate to your sleep anxiety. If I could get rid of that I truly beleive I would not have a problem anymore. The initial stress/sleep issues resolved a long time ago but the anxiety that resulted still remains and I don't think it's going to shift any time soon. I have had it 15 years. 🙁
See if I get less sleep I can't accept that it is normal for me – BECAUSE IT ISN'T!
I feel awful with less sleep and I know I can get more but it's just the anxiety that is felt with a change in sleep environment.
I've made a decision I am going to begin with practising deep breathing as I have children and I don't think they will allow me 'quiet time' to meditate when I want to. This will only frustrate me further. Thank you again.
Thanks for getting back in touch – it's soo frustrating!
What exactly do you mean by a prescription sleep aid – sorry I'm not quite with you.
I'm thinking that I need to try some sort of meditation or deep breathing exercisers on a regular basis. I have heard they work but it's having the motivation to do them.
Thank you so much for getting back to me – do you stress when others are in the room with you. I can stress with a ticking clock in the room, the sound of the neighbour snoring (it's really faint) or if I can hear someone's house alarm going off and I think it won't stop. Anything really that I feel will stop me getting a good night sleep sends my mind into overdrive.
I think this is what I must have – sleep anxiety (masses of it) and I don't know how to conquer it without getting myself into a complete tense mess just thinking about it. Arggggghhh.
I know for a fact that if I could get rid of the anxiety then I would not have a problem. It's mind over matter but the mind is so powerful and it's not something you can just nudge out of your system.
I sleep really well in my own house in my own room – no anxiety at all but the thought of sleeping anywhere else or anything changing in my sleep environment causes tension so great that then the tension 'pain' (felt in my chest – I feel like I'm having some kind of heart attack) prevents me from sleeping.
Does anyone feel like this and have the same issue as me. I also can't sleep during the day no matter how tired I am. The same anxious systems result.
