Not being able to sleep at a half decent time.

Hi Sheldon. I know exactly how you're feeling. I'm in the same boat. A couple months ago I could sleep fine and usually fell asleep around 12 or 1 am. Slept through the whole night fine. Lately on a very rare occasion that I fall asleep before 5 am I wake up every hour and the sleep is completely pointless. When I wake up I have this overwhelming sad feeling and I go into a panic. Then I'm up even later than I would if I just waited and went to sleep when I was extremely exhausted. Lately I haven't been able to sleep before 7 am. I know that's crazy. I also feel like I'm losing my mind. When I attempt to sleep I have bad thoughts too. Sometimes I even let them increase until I go into a really bad panic attack and it takes a long time for me to calm myself down. I'm sorry you have to go through this too. Goodluck and I hope you can get some advice!

I used to be exactly the same, my sleeping has improved majorly, but when I was getting panic attacks I would wake up every hour in a panic. I know TV is probably a great distraction, but have you tried calming audios or tapes. Ones with a calming voice, explaining to you that it's just anxiety and it will pass. The music and the voice really calms me down, having that extra bit of reassurance. What I would do is fall asleep then when I wake up put the audio on, then fall asleep, wake up and go through that pattern.

I feel the same. I used to be a sleep by 10, now it's not until 2. I feel like I am going insane too, it really worries me and I feel like it is getting worse. I tried tensing up my whole body and slowly relaxing from feet upwards, it made me feel better and I got to sleep. How do you deal with the fear? That's what I am struggling with. I hope you get better soon x

Saying stop it to yourself is fine. You became aware of yourself overthing and wanted it to stop. So no thats not insanity you dont need to yell it lol but its fine to talk out loud to self calm in the privacy of your room. You need to make yourself a deal when you lay in your bed that is a no overthinking zone. Period. Once youre in bed only allowed to note things you are grateful for, no matter how small. If you begin to overthing get out of bed. Clean your room, wash your face do jumping jacks, sit ups or push ups. Do an action. If there is a situation that is bothinering you write it down in a notebook and write down what problem solving skills fit the situation. Then write down how it made you feel or why you had the need to revisit this situation. If its in the past trash the thought completly. You cant go back and relive it. If you feel you made a mistake write down how the situation could be handled better. See then you addressed it but stop there. Anything past that is overthinking and no lesson.  Most people review their day at night thats normal. If its negative and insulting thats not reviewing your day. That is self abuse. Serves no ourpose at all. If someoneis rude to you at school thats on them, not you. This is not utopia, not a perfect world and your thoughts are just thoughts no need to make them facts.

Anxiety is a racy mind, and it will drive us nuts. Why don't you think your doc will help, and I am perplexed that they didn't tell you to come right in. Wow, I would look for a new one if that happened to me, and I didn't have faith in them. You need a appt. now. This is crazy.