A night of zero sleep + inability to nap, I'm crying

Hi edgar. I've noticed that you have posted on here alot lately. I can't obviously say what is causing your sleep problem but i can't help thinking that it's being fuelled by 'sleep anxiety'. Edgar we've all been there & whilst i agree it's bloody horrible unless you get to the root cause it's a difficult issue. As i mentioned in another post, for me it was all about acceptance & that helped a great deal. It's got alot to do with the mind & the majority of insomnia cases are often caused simply by the way we think about sleep. I think a trip to your doctor might be called for as we can only advise. Good luck & you are not alone with this. I've had bouts of insomnia for up to a month at a time. It's hard, i don't deny that but i get through it by simply not worrying about sleeping.

hello edgar , what i can see from your posts is i assume sleep anxiety, number 1 insomnia cause, try to make yourself believe that you will sleep, its a long road but eventually your mind will follow it, and you will sleep. From my personal experience i have very severe anxiety about sleep, which has became more of an ocd and also depression its really depressing when im going through phases like that i dont think nothing elsenother than negative intrusive thoughts about sleeping, CBT would be a good choice for u if ur thinking behaviour towards this issue is mild, but in severe cases like mine medication plays an important role!

Thank you both for your responses.

I too believe insomnia is all in the head, and I'm sure most cases it starts from a single thought (doubt) )popping in your head and than feeding on that doubt indefinitely. Sadly, that doesn't mean it's easy to convince it to go away.

You're right, Michelle, that I'm posting a bit more frequently lately, it's just that I haven't had a zero sleep night in a long time. Since I can't nap I practically live SR and a bit of CBT by default. That's why most nights I fall asleep quickly, though staying asleep has been a persistent problem, as I've mentioned.

I agree with both of you that it's time to see a doc and maybe see if the world of medicine can offer something. I've already been to my GP months ago who referred me to a psych, but I didn't dare go trough with that. I still have the referral in my drawer, I just have to gather the courage to use it. I'm worried what my colleagues will think, but more than that I 'm worried about my driver's licence. We'll see.

You, Michelle, seem to be anti-drugs, and ai used to be too, but I think I am now a severe case like any090422 and will probably be needing some pills, at least for a little while.

I've beaten insomnia through acceptance once before, but now it is way stronger than me. I can't find a way to get around early morning awakenings except maybe with therapy.

But for now I have to get through this crappy day.

Hi edgar. I'm not anti drugs persay i just don't feel they are the answer in the long term particulary people like yourself who have suffered severe insomnia for a long time. You need to get to the root cause of your sleep problem which i believe is 'sleep anxiety' but in the short term i'm not opposed to medication but i do understand when enough is enough. But try to get to the real cause as i think that will be more productive for you in the long run. Good luck.

After being out it not unusual to have a disturbed night. Did I ask previously if you have tried cbd oil ?

While it was not cured my insomnia it has helped in other ways and I'm more relaxed about my bad nights now.