Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
I am new on this board and have spent my entire life suffering from severe depression, OCD, and panic attacks. After one year I have had a great reduction in symptoms, which I owe mainly to giving up alcohol and caffeine.
Although I am doing much better, there is one thing that I just can not shake. I can honestly say that I sleep a good 13 to 14 hours a day and actually have a fear of being up. I am even constantly looking at the clock to see if it is close to bedtime/naptime!
This all started when I was heavily medicated and on four different medications. I simply suffered from severe fatigue and needed the rest. Now that I have gone off Remeron and cut my use of Klonopin in half, I have much more energy, but am still stuck in this ritual. I think the main reason I do it is because of boredom, but I also have a fear that by not napping I will feel anxiety and fatigue all over again. I have been suicidal in the past and I am often worrying that maybe I am just giving up on life by sleeping so much, although my counselor would probably just say that is the OCD talking.
This is the one big thing right now that is messing with my life. Does anyone have any advise as to what to do or suffer from the same thing? Thanks for listening.
Although I am doing much better, there is one thing that I just can not shake. I can honestly say that I sleep a good 13 to 14 hours a day and actually have a fear of being up. I am even constantly looking at the clock to see if it is close to bedtime/naptime!
This all started when I was heavily medicated and on four different medications. I simply suffered from severe fatigue and needed the rest. Now that I have gone off Remeron and cut my use of Klonopin in half, I have much more energy, but am still stuck in this ritual. I think the main reason I do it is because of boredom, but I also have a fear that by not napping I will feel anxiety and fatigue all over again. I have been suicidal in the past and I am often worrying that maybe I am just giving up on life by sleeping so much, although my counselor would probably just say that is the OCD talking.
This is the one big thing right now that is messing with my life. Does anyone have any advise as to what to do or suffer from the same thing? Thanks for listening.
Just wanted to say hi, sorry I don't have any advice as I tend to get lost the other way, forget to go to bed. Maybe busy yourself doing things that makes the time fly by without notice? (art, crafts, hobbies)
Secondly, this is something that has obviously become habit. Because I think all habits are bad I want to break the cycle. Yet, at the same time, it doesn't prevent me from getting my chores done, and both my counselor and my husband believes that my OCD is just causing me all this guilt for sleeping, and because of this they say I should enjoy the nap.
Perhaps I should have put this on the OCD forum, as my OCD is obviously tugging me in two different directions.
It's more intensely needed, now, with the depression, definitely. Otherwise, I am very, very fatigued, and can actually become nauseous and quite headachey, if enough (quality) sleep isn't had.
I'm working on finding my balance. What I want more than anything is to back on a more predictable sleep schedule---but it eludes me, always. I'm just working around it, now.
I believe it is a mostly feminine problem, getting the right sleep, and enough of it, FOR YOU. IT is definitely different for each person. Even though I take my sleeping pill at the same time every night, there's no guarantee it will work!
Getting yourself healthily tired is probably your best next step---as early in the day as possible, from what I understand. Fresh air, walking, hiking, they seem to do wonders for anxiety and sleep problems.
Hugs, and best of luck with this
BTW- Winny- WHAT THE HELL PICTURE IS THAT! IS THAT A FOOT?! AARGH!