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When I don't sleep I totally avoid social situations because my brain is in such a fog I cannot function and I am too tired to try to appear “normal”. I want to be left alone. Then I get depressed because the insomnia is not only controlling my night, but also my daytime. The insomnia takes over my entire life: my sleep, my work, my relationships, my ability to be a good mother. It SUCKS! But I would say that insomnia causes social anxiety more than social anxiety causing insomnia.
I really feel for all of you. I have in the past suffered from insomnia where I would sleep only 2 hours a night. I felt like I was going crazy and didn't enjoy life anymore. It is HORRIBLE and unless someone has experienced it (and I don't mean the occasional tossing and turning or one night of bad sleep) they have no idea the hell it causes. My question has always been since it started: how can I no longer have control over my sleep??!!! During my pre-insomnia days that would have been incomprehensible to me. I never had an issue with staying asleep! I was able to nap anytime, sleep anywhere. I feel out of control now that I can't control my sleep without a med!! After trying so many meds in the past what works for me now is 60mg Cymbalta with 150 mg. trazadone, both at night. I can not sleep without either one. I am not sure if my depression causes the insomnia (I think it does since I tried getting off my anti-depressants twice before and ended up not sleeping) or if the anti-depressants cause the insomnia since the anti-depressant is supposedly curing the depression, which I believe it has, but if so then why still the insomnia without the trazodone (which my psych says is not a high enough dose to treat depression, but plenty for sleep)?? I wish I knew for sure what the cause of my insomnia is. I won't allow myself to think of the day that trazadone may stop working because that thought gives me anxiety. My sleep has been well for several months now thank God. I always recommend to people with sleep issues to consider being screened for depression. Remember, you can have physical symptoms of depression without the sad feelings and insomnia is a definite symptom! My depression is very physical. I also do a therapy called Internal Family Systems, which has really changed my life. it is an insightful way of viewing oneself and the people around you. I would highly recommend it to people and believe it can help with the part of you that may contribute to the insomnia. I wish everyone luck in their battle.
very interesting topic! I have suffered from mild depression since childhood. Once I gave birth to my daughter 6 years ago, I suffered from post-partum depression and since then my depression went from mild to major. My insomnia started when I had my daughter and I struggle with it still, but find that if I am on my anti-depressant and trazadone I do well. I just pray that the trazadone does not poop out in the future! As to which causes which: when I have depression my sleep goes as does my appetite. When I have insomnia my depression gets worse because of the lack of sleep and my worrying over the insomnia. So it becomes a vicious cycle. When insomnia comes back, I start to panic because I remember how awful the previous episodes were and of course the panic doesn't help matters. I guess I have to address the panic I get over the insomnia. Such a horrible thing both insomnia and depression are. Good luck everyone.
I use a sound machine. I'm not sure if it helps or not. I wouldn't say I've seen any dramatic results. I like having it on though.
Great news! That is a very interesting and good question, does happiness cure insomnia? I'm not sure of the answer. I wouldn't say I am unhappy or happy, but am more satisfied or content with my life overall. Maybe insomnia is all about what is going on subconsciously?
You said “This may sound silly, but it is a kind of comfort of sorts knowing that I am not alone with this problem”. That doesn't sound silly at all Cara. I hate to admit it, but since I started suffering from insomnia I am very interested in other people's sleep. If I hear someone complain about a bad nights sleep my ears perk up and I want to hear all about it. It's so comforting to know that I am not alone and that maybe I am not so abnormal afterall! I also have to admit that when I hear about people having such an easy time with sleep I am envious. I guess it is human nature?
yes, I hear that sleep gets worse the older you get, particularly for women with menopause. I am still a while from it, but dread it. I yearn for the sleep I got prior to age 30, which is when I had my daughter and all hell broke loose with my sleep. 6 years later, it isn't any better. oh, the days I could sleep for 10-11 hours straight and then nap on top of that……..If only I knew then to cherish that ability to sleep!!
Sounds like this sleep issue is really interfering with your ability to function and affecting your family. Have you considered counseling with someone who specializes in sleep disorders to get you back on track? They could help you sort out the problem, give you professional advice. It sounds like it has gotten out of control. I can relate and feel for you. Keep us updated and good luck to you.
I'm definitely an introvert and have sleep problems. Thinking of other people I know who have sleep problems, I don't see a pattern. Some are extroverts, others introverts.
Hello. I always slept wonderful, including throughout pregnancy, but about 5 days after my daughter was born intense insomnia struck for the first time of my life. I also had no appetite and basically felt like I was losing my mind. I believe it was post-partum depression/anxiety for me and I called my old psychiatric nurse who prescribed lorazepam for sleep and paxil for the depression. My insomnia quickly went away and in 2-3 weeks the depression lifted. I was devastated because I could no longer breast feed because of the meds. I was also devastated because I had gone off my meds for my entire pregnancy, and was hoping to be done with them forever, but had to go back on them. It was a horrible experience. It sounds like your insomnia is definitely the result of childbirth. You didn't mention any other symptoms that would sound like post-partum depression. Maybe your hormones are just out of wack from giving birth. I admire your ability to do without the meds. For me it was not an option unfortunately. Hopefully your sleep will return to normal. If not, you might want to consider a small amount of trazodone. It is not addictive and is an old antidepressant that is used more for a sleep aid at small doses than for depression. Unfortunately I require a large dose to fall asleep, but most people don't. Please let me know if you have any questions. Best wishes.
I'm so sorry to hear about your struggle for sleep. I know how bad it sucks. Luckily I am in a good place now and am thank God sleeping well, but I have struggled with the nightmare of insomnia. The hardest thing I find is having to function at work. If I could be home all day during the times of insomnia it would be so much easier to deal with. But to go to work full-time on 3 hours sleep and try to appear “normal” makes the insomnia so hard. I've been well on my Cymbalta in the morning for depression/anxiety and 150mg trazadone at night. I hate having to be on meds, but it is the only way I am able to live a normal life. Good luck to you. Don't give up.
my doctor once told me that steroids can cause insomnia. I have heard that it is a very common side effect. So sorry to hear your dilemma!!
Sorry to hear about your insomnia. I can relate. My counselor tells me that exercise might be the best thing for my insomnia. Like someone else mentioned, you shouldn't do it too close to bedtime. Even if you have only gotten a little sleep, definitely exercise if you can because the exercise will definitely benefit your sleep! As for the sweats, not sure on that one. Good luck to you!!
Well Jane, unfortunately I think I've got you beat. I woke up at 12:30, then 2:30 and couldn't fall back to sleep so I have been up since!! How damn frustrating….
Yeah, it's wierd how different people's experiences are with the same drug. I was on lexapro for maybe a year, then felt it wasn't doing much for me. I had no problems with it that year I was on it. If you can function ok without any meds, then obviously that is the way to go! I HATE having to be on meds to function 🙁 But of course if you need the meds to function or to truly enjoy life then I guess it is foolish to refuse them right? I have no experience with hypnosis. Good luck to you!
'kromeoc' wrote on '05:Thanks for the welcome everyone! I appreciate the support and suggestions.
Nicole – the highest dosage of trazodone I tried was 100 mg. It's possible that my body just needs to get used to it. I'll keep that in mind.
I saw another doctor recently who prescribed me Lexipro. I haven't filled the prescription yet. I read comments about it online, and it's just bizarre to see one comment saying “This drug saved my life!” and the very next comment saying “This drug made me suicidal!” I think I'll try to stick it out at least another week without any pills and see how it goes. This week was quite a bit better, sleep-wise, although I started feeling more anxious during the day, which was weird.
Has anyone tried hypnosis for their insomnia? An aunt of mine said it helped her once. The idea kind of freaks me out, but it could be interesting, if it actually has an effect.
