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Hopefully, you understand what I’ve written about. We are not just our insomnia because most of us have multifaceted mental and emotional aspects. Just concentrating on insomnia doesn’t paint a full picture of what we’re experiencing
I have seen therapists and been evaluated. I have nothing else to say. You don’t know my history or what I might have been through. I’m seeing a sleep therapist now but she just recommended that I see someone who specializes in anxiety disorders and depersonalization. I have some issues that run far deeper than insomnia. I never had insomnia until 6-7 years ago. You can’t judge someone solely on the little they know about a person. We all are like a puzzle and multifaceted. Sorry, you misunderstood what I’ve stated. As for myself, I can’t judge what I don’t know. Maybe it’s time I get out of this forum, idk.
I have insomnia and an ongoing anxiety disorder. If anxiety is spiraling out of control it makes me unable to function. My CBT-I psychologist recently told me that before I continue with her it might be beneficial to work on extreme obsessive thinking (generalized anxiety disorder). I’ve been doing poorly with therapy because of the anxiety. Sometimes it’s good to look at whatever will be best for you. Each person is different in emotional and psychological makeup. It’s not as cut and dry as saying “don’t shut out unpleasant thoughts”. We’re not all of the same molds. Sometimes it’s good to get combination therapies and see what works best for you. I just couldn’t take my anxiety spiraling out of control anymore. Constant anxiety and obsessive thinking are worth getting guidance for. I’m speaking from decades of experience as someone with generalized anxiety disorder
My only words would be to remember even if things seem difficult doing CBT-I right now there are so many that have been helped. Because you think something doesn’t make it true.
Sometimes things get harder before getting better. You will have stumbling blocks throughout life but we get stronger from them. Know the power to change is within youAnxiety about sleeping or having ruminating thoughts about what if you don’t sleep is very common with many who have insomnia. For me, it’s from already having an anxiety disorder. I but don’t know if you have generalized anxiety disorder. My CBT-I therapist told me many people also have anxiety, I don’t know why I have worrisome thoughts and but it just goes along with my insomnia-based anxiety. It’s taking me longer than many to do CBT-I because of this. I identifying each thought doesn’t help me. I wish you well
I have great anxiety and insomnia too. The best thing is getting to a professional sleep therapist who does CBT-i. Go to the Insomnia Coach YouTube channel or you can listen to the podcasts for free. All those things about hot baths and other things to make you sleep well don’t work well on chronic insomnia. I too have broken up sleep and so much anxiety about fear of not sleeping and wondering if I’ll ever sleep. I’m seeing a sleep therapist once a month. You need someone to guide you through the process step by step. For therapists near you go to
https://www.behavioralsleep.org/ to locate some if you’re in the United States.I’ll talk with the CBT-i therapist next month and will tell her the problems I’m having. She’s an excellent listener and very empathetic. I’m probably not the only person finding this difficult. We all have our own difficulties with things. I was very positive and get a little overzealous sometimes after we speak. When I expect too much I get disappointed. Thank you for your input. That’s why I’m here
I appreciate your response. I know this is not the place for professional advice but I’m usually just here for opinions and ideas. You’ve been very helpful. I’m here for discussions about CBT-i and getting acclimated to the process. I understand all the details. I have a Stanford based therapist who only works with sleep difficulties and has been very informative and precise about my step by step plan and the science behind sleep. I wish I didn’t have so much anxiety which hinders the process/
I hear lots of success stories but I’d like us to reach out to those here having difficulty despite therapy. Having preexisting anxiety or depressive disorder can make recovery difficult. Who has a problem due to other circumstances aside from insomnia?
I’m so glad this topic was brought up. I’m having a terrible time doing sleep restriction too. I’ve had it’s increased a lot. anxiety most of my life but with the 7-year insomnia. Sometimes the meds I take for sleep don’t phase me due to the high amount of anxiety I get about sleep. I thought I’d lose my mind last night after getting little to no sleep for about five days. Last night I didn’t set the alarm to wake up and I finally got some more sleep. I don’t think my sleep therapist understands the extent of my snowballing anxiety at night. I was given a long list with about 100 things to do while awake at night. The anxiety stops me from being able to concentrate on most things. I was thinking of finding another therapist I can talk to more often. The sleep therapist only talks to me once a month. In between, I worry, sweat, and am almost nonfunctional. It’s been a real nightmare for me
I know exactly what you mean. I lost track of how many hours I’ve slept or if I slept at all.
Is anyone else finding this therapy extremely difficult? I feel like a rag doll and can barely function. My sleep is so little I can barely think. I may get off this forum because I’m too exhausted and have so much anxiety. I already had generalized anxiety disorder before insomnia. I give up
I’ve been following my CBT-i program this week. I’ve barely slept for the last 4 days. Yesterday I could do a few normal activities but after last night’s poor sleep I’m so washed out and tired. I can’t think clearly enough to do anything. I felt positive about things last night but today I realized it’s too debilitating without sleep and setting the alarm at the same time every morning gives me even more anxiety. I feel hopeless. When does it get better? I don’t know what to do
