Insomnia
Posted , 8 users are following.
I am struggling with what I believe is ‘learned’ insomnia, whereby I obsess over what time it is at night, how much time I have left to sleep, have I been asleep, how much sleep did I have yesterday, last week, was I able to sleep this time last week, and if so, why can’t I sleep now etc. it is horrible and results in me lying awake for hours and hours. Does anyone else have this? I am constantly checking the time but don’t know how to stop. I obsess about the impact of my lack of sleep – hat will I be like the following day, how will I cope, why has this started to happen again after a good few months of sleeping ok? The more I worry, the worse it gets. In the days after sleeplessness, I feel very very sad, anxious, tearful, washed out and thoroughly inadequate compared to all those lucky people who can sleep. I feel awful about myself, my self-esteem plummets, and I feel absolutely useless and hopeless. I always obsess over whether I look tired, what people may think of me. I feel so ashamed and embarrassed by it. All this makes it worse, but I don’t know how to stop it or what to do.
1 like, 18 replies
michelle70460 jane91973
Posted
Hi Jane. Most of us can relate to your problem. I go through 'bouts' of insomnia due to menopause & when it strikes it can be sheer hell. My longest 'bout' was 4weeks & i know it will return again, but each time i get it i just become more accepting of it. Of course that doesn't mean i enjoy it but i learnt the more i worried about it the worse it got. & that's the key word here for you 'worry'. I am by no means a doctor but i truly believe you are suffering from 'sleep anxiety'. This in itself will make your sleep alot worse. My advice, when you go to bed at night turn your clock away from you, this will stop you from 'obsessing' over the time. If you are finding it difficult to stop worrying about the lack of sleep you are getting it might be a good idea to speak to your doctor.
charline94768 jane91973
Posted
I can so relate to this, I have been like this for ten years now, ever since I went into menopause. May I ask how old you are? I am going through a period of insomnia right now, waking up and looking at the time and worrying about the next day etc... And I am retired, so it´s not as bad as for you. I also take something to sleep and still get occasional insomnia. Many people suffer from this and I think the trick is to not let it bother you too much. My husband is really good at this, he always laughs and says that when he is tired enough, he will sleep. After a certain age, most people suffer from insomnia fromtime to time, but I do feel bad for you.
christine66659 jane91973
Posted
hi jane this was me last year
i stopped writing a sleep journal was advised to as this was making my insomnia worse..stopped the nightly routine apart from cleaning teeth and pjs..i was setting myself up for more anxiety and didnt realise...lasted about 3 mths..stopped looking at my phone and seeking self assurance...it was hard but gradually my sleep returned not perfect but good only had two complete sleepless nites this year so far and few nites of 3/4 hrs..but i dont obssess just notice..sometimes the anxiety does resurface but thats normal..last year i was sleeping alternate nights which is were the fear started...even if i get 3 hrs at least ive slept which is good
.some nites i sleep 11 hrs..the best advice is not to care and live like you dont have a problem..xx