I've suffered with insomnia for the passed 10 years. i really in need of some help!

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It started when I was 15.  The amount sleep varies, it always takes hours for me to finally fall asleep and normally it'll only be 4-5 hour max if I do. Some nights I don't sleep at all, I just toss and turn restlessly Throughout the night. Sometimes the worst case scenario happens a few days in a row and has happened for around a week in a row before. I seeked help when I was 18 but it was useless as I waited 8 months for a test and then was messed around for ages as no one really knew what was what. Im currently travelling Australia so getting any help now is kinda hard, came across this page and was hoping someone could help me.

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2 Replies

  • Posted

    If you go into sleep medication your life will be messy.Medication don't work for long time

    . coming out from medication will be very tough.better you accept your sleep pattern and adjust life accordingly.

  • Posted

    Hello, sorry to hear about your troubles.  I would agree with the earlier reply on not complicating things unnecessarily with sleep meds.  When you say it takes you hours to fall asleep, do you go to bed and lay there for hours waiting to fall asleep?  If you are spending a lot of time in bed in addition to the 4-5 hours you are sleeping, I would try cutting that time way down.  If you can, try to only spend 5 hours of total time in bed.  For instance, if you need to wake at 5AM, don't go to bed until 12AM. If you have a night of little or no sleep, do not give into the temptation to adjust your schedule for the day and go to bed early!  Stay up just as late as you are supposed to on your schedule and you will get exhausted enough to sleep soundly for the time you are in bed. I know this sounds extreme but if you make yourself stay up that late and get up early, you will make yourself more sleepy and the time you spend in bed will gradually become quality sleep.  After you are are sleeping 90%+ of the time you are in bed, extend your bed time by 15 minutes, maybe each week or two.  

    Another key is not spending any time in bed tossing and turning.  Only go to bed when you know you are tired enough to fall asleep easily, and get out of the bed if you don't go to sleep within 20 minutes.  Right now, your body/mind associate the bed with "It's okay to be wide awake if I want to."  By only spending time in bed sleeping, your body/mind will start to associate the bed with "I'm sleepy!".  

    Hope this helps and enjoy your travels. 

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