Insomniacs Unite

[fainewebbe]

No, I have such strong opinions on this. I'm leaving now before I explode my opinions on you people. I will not be in general discussion for a long while.

I started this topic so people who have trouble sleeping (like me) could share ideas about what helps them or discuss reasons why they think they can't sleep at night. It's not meant to invalidate anyone's personal experiences. Just a place to share thoughts about it.

 

 

[Kestra15]

No, I have such strong opinions on this. I'm leaving now before I explode my opinions on you people. I will not be in general discussion for a long while.

I would like to know what those opinions are, if you don't mind. I can understand if your opinion is 'you're not an insomniac unless certified by a doctor/psychologist/other certified individual,' which I would agree to an extent. But otherwise it's a topic I find hard to see where 'strong opinions' would lie.

[Ruins]

I'm not insomniac; I just can't sleep sometimes. I can go for two or three days without sleep easily before I crash and sleep all day and night... Good thing I have two days off in a row.

[elderberrysyrup]

I would ask though, I'd like to have my potential insomnia looked at. However, whenever I try to ask any doctors, I'm not believed. Instead, I'm told things like it's because I use computers, listen to music, don't hold rigid sleeping hours, am too fat, have anxiety, have depression, am reclusive, don't eat enough, eat too much, eat problematic foods, am hormonal, am not old enough to have insomnia, am not old enough to...

 

Well, you get the gist of it. I would like to ask how difficult is it to get any sleeping disorder (insomnia or not) diagnosed?

[Viktorya]

I would ask though, I'd like to have my potential insomnia looked at. However, whenever I try to ask any doctors, I'm not believed. Instead, I'm told things like it's because I use computers, listen to music, don't hold rigid sleeping hours, am too fat, have anxiety, have depression, am reclusive, don't eat enough, eat too much, eat problematic foods, am hormonal, am not old enough to have insomnia, am not old enough to...

 

Well, you get the gist of it. I would like to ask how difficult is it to get any sleeping disorder (insomnia or not) diagnosed?

If your doctors don't believe you (and seem like they won't change their minds) it might be best to find a new doctor, at least for the insomnia. It might help to find someone who specialises in sleeping disorders, if possible--you could ask your current doctors if they know of any, and they might be able to lead you in the right direction. If you do have options available (and I know not everyone does), you'll probably get much better treatment than you would get from a doctor who isn't 100% convinced you even have the problem in the first place.

[elderberrysyrup]

If your doctors don't believe you (and seem like they won't change their minds) it might be best to find a new doctor, at least for the insomnia. It might help to find someone who specialises in sleeping disorders, if possible--you could ask your current doctors if they know of any, and they might be able to lead you in the right direction. If you do have options available (and I know not everyone does), you'll probably get much better treatment than you would get from a doctor who isn't 100% convinced you even have the problem in the first place.

I used to, but no longer, have resources for any kind of health care. I'm just curious as to how difficult, by people's personal experiences, it is to get a diagnosis for any kind of sleeping disorder.

[Arpiana]

I would like to know what those opinions are, if you don't mind. I can understand if your opinion is 'you're not an insomniac unless certified by a doctor/psychologist/other certified individual,' which I would agree to an extent. But otherwise it's a topic I find hard to see where 'strong opinions' would lie.

I have a severe anxiety disorder and haven't slept in three months. I don't think its fair for people to call themselves an insomniac because they have a little trouble sleeping. I can barely stand and it takes all my energy to eat.. You people have no idea what insomnia can do to you...

[fainewebbe]

I used to, but no longer, have resources for any kind of health care. I'm just curious as to how difficult, by people's personal experiences, it is to get a diagnosis for any kind of sleeping disorder.

I think doctors want to be very careful in diagnosing something like this, especially since some people might claim they have problems sleeping just to get prescription medications. They really want to look at your history and try to go over all the reasons that could be causing it. My doctor knew my long (documented) history of insomnia problems before diagnosing.

 

I'm really sorry that your doctor didn't believe you and that now you don't have the ability to see another. It sucks when you can't get an answer or validation for something that is very real.

[elderberrysyrup]

I think doctors want to be very careful in diagnosing something like this, especially since some people might claim they have problems sleeping just to get prescription medications. They really want to look at your history and try to go over all the reasons that could be causing it. My doctor knew my long (documented) history of insomnia problems before diagnosing.

 

I'm really sorry that your doctor didn't believe you and that now you don't have the ability to see another. It sucks when you can't get an answer or validation for something that is very real.

Interesting. Is drug abuse that much of a problem?

[WhyllasTorch]

I'm not an insomniac but I can stay awake until 2 or 3 AM without feeling tired. It's because of the Internet; I just sit awake at night, reading or watching stuff (EVERYTHING IS SO INTERESTING). But that's only during holidays when I don't have school. When I do, I wrestle myself away from the Internet around 10 or 11 PM and then I fall asleep pretty quickly.

[bubinator]

What causes insomnia? I'm not an insomniac myself, but I'm curious as to what causes it. Do certain disorders like ADHD and/or dyslexia cause it?

 

Anybody who can help?

I know that my cousin is dislexic and also had a burnout, she has trouble to sleep but I cant say what exactly causes that. It is getting better now, she also slowly stopped to take sleeping pills.

 

___________

 

My mum suffers from anxiety disorder. She cant sleept at all, she cant sit, stand or rest, she cant eat, she cant do anything. Shes taking 3 sorts of medicines. The doctors said she has to take them forever.

 

___________

 

My partner suffers from schizoaffective disorder, he only sleeps 1-2 nights a week. Yeah and when he discusses this problem with the doctors they seem not listen to him but prescribe him other meds.

 

 

I dont have any trouble sleeping. I almost never wake up in the middle of the night, thanks god! I have good sleep but I am mostly tired during the day.

[Wookieinmashoo]

I would ask though, I'd like to have my potential insomnia looked at. However, whenever I try to ask any doctors, I'm not believed. Instead, I'm told things like it's because I use computers, listen to music, don't hold rigid sleeping hours, am too fat, have anxiety, have depression, am reclusive, don't eat enough, eat too much, eat problematic foods, am hormonal, am not old enough to have insomnia, am not old enough to...

 

Well, you get the gist of it. I would like to ask how difficult is it to get any sleeping disorder (insomnia or not) diagnosed?

It is true that all those can affect your sleep, but as been said, if you feel that is wrong I would find another doctor.

 

Sleeping problems are the least of my problems anyway. At least I can sleep, I just can't wake up constantly. I also tend to feel groggy or headachey if I try to go back to sleep most of the time, so I just wake up.

 

@LwyllasLaVey: Ever think it's just a crap-ton of energy that's keeping you awake and not so much the internet? Or maybe you're just used to going to sleep late?

Edited March 24, 2012 by Wookieinmashoo

[Kestra15]

I have a severe anxiety disorder and haven't slept in three months. I don't think its fair for people to call themselves an insomniac because they have a little trouble sleeping. I can barely stand and it takes all my energy to eat.. You people have no idea what insomnia can do to you...

I have fifteen-hour work days and am lucky to get two hours sleep before most of them. When I do sleep, I have night terrors which wake me up, scare the heck out of me, tire me out, and prevent me from sleeping for a good couple of days afterwards. I had to do 45hrs worth of work on just 5hrs sleep last week, in a job where a simple mistake could harm or kill someone - which makes you pretty darn anxious.

 

So please don't tell me that I have 'a little trouble sleeping' when I've spent my life trying to adapt to this state of being. Three months? Is that *all* you've gone without? Try the better part of 25yrs, and don't belittle mine or anyone else's experiences until you've actually asked what we go through first.

I would ask though, I'd like to have my potential insomnia looked at. However, whenever I try to ask any doctors, I'm not believed. Instead, I'm told things like it's because I use computers, listen to music, don't hold rigid sleeping hours, am too fat, have anxiety, have depression, am reclusive, don't eat enough, eat too much, eat problematic foods, am hormonal, am not old enough to have insomnia, am not old enough to...

 

Well, you get the gist of it. I would like to ask how difficult is it to get any sleeping disorder (insomnia or not) diagnosed?

That's because they are all major contributing factors to insomnia, and first-line treatment for insomnia is lifestyle changes, not drugs.

Edited March 25, 2012 by Kestra15

[fainewebbe]

When I do sleep, I have night terrors which wake me up, scare the heck out of me, tire me out, and prevent me from sleeping for a good couple of days afterwards.

 

Yikes--that's terrible. It's awful to need sleep so badly and not to be able to due to insomnia or from what happens during those precious hours you do sleep. Sometimes I experience sleep paralysis, and it's such a frightening experience that I resist sleeping even when I need it.

 

That's because they are all major contributing factors to insomnia, and first-line treatment for insomnia is lifestyle changes, not drugs.

 

QFT. I equate insomnia to losing weight--there is no quick fix. For many people, they have to completely change their lifestyle. I learned that well when I tried prescription meds.

 

Speaking of which, I watched a great movie the other night called Chasing Sleep with Jeff Daniels. It was a great thriller about a man who experiences insomnia after his wife disappears and nothing he tries works for him.

Edited March 24, 2012 by fainewebbe

[Bardess]

I think it's different for people--some are physical and some psychological. I've had trouble sleeping since I was in high school and now I'm in my thirties. For me, I can't seem to turn my mind "off". I think of all the things I need to accomplish for the next day; things I need to get finished at work; or that's when I worry about things I otherwise push out of my mind.

You're telling me?

 

I've got just the same problem, and that since my childhood. I've always had trouble with turning my mind "off" (or directing it at usefull stuff like homework, essays, studying), and especially when lying in bed I remember all that stuff that I still have to do or that might go wrong... so quite early in my life I picked up the habit of daydreaming in bed, thinking of more pleasant things and sometimes thinking up complete stories and adventures.

 

Needlessly to say it also had the effect of keeping me awake even longer.

 

Additionally to my trouble with falling asleep I also have a very light sleep and wake up easily if there's some disturbence.

It can be a real nuisance and I can get very annoyed and angry if people are noisy late at night.

 

 

Well, I've been given quite a lot of advise on how I might get to sleep more easily.

 

One is to recite a poem (in your thoughts) and imagining it written out while doing that. Indeed this does help after some time if it's always the same poem.

I also found that it works even if I only recite the poem (without bothering about how it's written out).

 

Another method I use is lying down on my back (in a way that's comfortable enough that I don't need to move for 20 min or so) and counting my heartbeat. Can be quite relaxing.

 

Also it can help to imagine walking around in some familiar area and let random associations guide you. You might begin with walking around in your grandparent's neighbourhood and soon end up somewhere on the bottom of an ocean which turns into a forest that starts to burn and there you are in your old school... nevermind. Just keep on walking, and you'll slip into dreams quite seamlessly. Or so I found.

 

Those are good ways of turning your mind off - provided you manage to slow it down in first place. (I don't always manage that and thus can end up with my mind racing anyway).

 

 

Another thing about falling asleep: Our body reacts to part of the evening light, it's a kind of signal that soon it will be time to sleep. So going for a little walk in the evening might help, as well as staying away from all kinds of screens an hour or so before going to sleep (the light that screens usually emit tells the body to stay awake).

Also ritual might help: Regular sleeping times, certain things you do right before going to bed...

 

Oh, and yet another thing: It might be a good idea to experiment a little with sleeping times. I found that I sleep best if I go to bed quite early - around 8 or 9pm - and get up sometime around 6 or 7am.

I I go to bed late at night I don't seem to be able to really wake up in the morning, even if I got my 8 or 9 hours of sleep.

 

 

 

So much from my part. I've still got sleeping problems, but that's mostly due to my experiencing the time of falling asleep as "boring" and also thinking it's "boring" to recite a poem or count my heartbeat. Unfortunately the more interesting thoughts often keep me wide awake.

 

Usually I only use these methods if I'm really, really in need for a good night's sleep. But then they do indeed help, so I guess they're worth trying out... >.>

[Takoto]

I've had insomnia since I was about 12. I'm 17 now and it tends to screw up my life. I was diagnosed with it at about 13 and my doctor thinks it's inherited... but skipped a generation. My Nan and Aunt both have Insomnia but my Mum does not, so yeah.

 

It ether comes out randomly or when I'm stressed- it always comes out if I feel stressed, so it's hellish around exam times and such. When it comes out randomly it tends to just... screw up my days a whole lot. I can go two months at most sleeping well then all of a sudden I won't be able to sleep properly for three months without warning = __=;;

[Wookieinmashoo]

Another thing about falling asleep: Our body reacts to part of the evening light, it's a kind of signal that soon it will be time to sleep. So going for a little walk in the evening might help, as well as staying away from all kinds of screens an hour or so before going to sleep (the light that screens usually emit tells the body to stay awake).

Also ritual might help: Regular sleeping times, certain things you do right before going to bed...

 

Funny, screens make me tired. The best way for me to actually fall asleep is to play my DS, usually pokemon or something. It doesn't take long either. Same thing with a tv screen and sometimes the computer. Evening light actually makes me feel more awake and "alive". I notice I get more restful sleep during daylight hours and I tend not to wake up as often during sleep.

[elderberrysyrup]

Funny, screens make me tired. The best way for me to actually fall asleep is to play my DS, usually pokemon or something. It doesn't take long either. Same thing with a tv screen and sometimes the computer. Evening light actually makes me feel more awake and "alive". I notice I get more restful sleep during daylight hours and I tend not to wake up as often during sleep.

You think maybe the mindlessness of pokemon helps?

[Kestra15]

You think maybe the mindlessness of pokemon helps?

Low blow dude.

 

I do use the computer before bed and find that it is fifty-fifty; it depends on my state of mind. I can use the computer for hours and fall straight asleep; I can spend a day nowhere near electricity and lay awake all night. It depends on what's on my mind.

 

Had a brilliant enforced lack of sleep Saturday; someone's alarm kept going off every 20min all night. *All* night. For the six hours I bothered to try, I got no more than 15min sleep at a time.

[WhyllasTorch]

/.../

so quite early in my life I picked up the habit of daydreaming in bed, thinking of more pleasant things and sometimes thinking up complete stories and adventures.

/.../

 

...

 

You're me. There's no other explanation.

Edited April 4, 2012 by LwyllasLaVey

[Wookieinmashoo]

You think maybe the mindlessness of pokemon helps?

I wouldn't call it "mindless" but maybe repetitive. I'm just saying because FF7 seems to have the same effect on me and that game is usually considered a cut above the rpg world. Then again I've been put to sleep by action heavy tv shows and movies too. I am just assuming it's not moving that puts me to sleep though. I could probably play any game and fall asleep. I'd have to put that to the test though.

 

...

 

You're me. There's no other explanation.

 

I'm pretty sure everyone does this though.

Edited April 4, 2012 by Wookieinmashoo

[Mupen64 Man]

Ive always had problems sleeping, sometimes I look like a raccoon because of the dark circles under my eyes. Nowadays I get around 6 hours asleep, so its getting a bit better.

Edited April 4, 2012 by Mupen64 Man

[darchaliath]

I havent been 'actually' diagnosed, but I have had many treatments. They(doctors) have tried all types of 'antidepressants'(nada), actual sleep aids(nada, except one that I knew I was getting dependent on so I quit), and I have to sleep with a fan and a good one at that. If it makes too much noise or the blades vibrate or not enough noise or the motor sounds weird, it does not help at all....

 

My biggest problem is that as soon as I hit the bed my brain pops on and goes into overdrive.......ugh....shut up and go to sleep. I can be bone tired and lay there all night. I've tried reading books( i get too interested and stay up too late) and milk, melatonin, exercising, etc, one doc told me I just cant sleep...naw didnt know that.

[dgsunburst]

im the oppisite of a isomniac i fall asleep in a car whenever i get in one and its moving its kinda cool but bothersome

[cfmtfm]

I'm not fully insomniac but it does take me time to go to sleep.

 

I literally PROCRASTINATE going to sleep because I'm scared I'll just be lying in my bed doing nothing. I do everything slow-motion - I brush my teeth twice, then do detailed brushing with inter-dental; I 'iron' my PJ's with my hands before putting them on... yeah [sometimes I heat up my hands with hot water.]

 

Funny thing is, it doesn't affect me too much - I don't feel tired. Just need a few splashes of cold water.