Insomnia Support Group
Insomnia is a symptom, rather than a disease, and is characterized by inadequate quantity or quality of sleep. People with insomnia complain of difficulty falling or staying asleep, which results in significant impairment of daytime functioning. Insomnia is categorized as transient (shorter than one week), short-term (one to three weeks) or chronic (longer than three...
I have tried to get my mom to take me to the doctor, psychiatrist, counselors, and to get me a sleep study but she always tells me she 'forgets' every day. I am on an anti-depressant and I havent been diagnosed yet. But I dont get sleep like I used too. Lately it takes me almost an hour and a half to fall asleep at night. After I fall asleep I dont sleep soundly Im up and down all night long. Im only 15 years old and I feel like there is something wrong with me and it scares me. Im not sure if its just because Im depressed or because of something else. I miss alot of school because Im always extremely exhausted. I feel tired yet I can never sleep. My mom just buys me drug store sleep aid and tells me I'll be fine. But it doesnt really help it only shortens my "falling" asleep time by a half hour. I was just hoping that someone who has been diagnosed with insomnia could tell me if I have any common symptoms and help me out with advice to help me get an actual full nights rest. Thank you.
-A.
You should however be encouraged that help is there for you. First, you might try talking to your school counselor about this.
Another idea is to talk to the doctor that prescribed the anti-depressant. You should be having regular follow ups to that anyway, so you might call their office and ask about scheduling your next appointment. They should be able to talk to your mother.
Depression is often correlated with insomnia, although the direction of causality is not often clear. But be assured there are a number of things you can do now on your own to help.
One is to keep a very consistent sleep-wake schedule. Do not allow yourself to sleep in, and avoid napping. No more than about 15 minutes if you do. That protects your sleep for the following night.
Two is to get some good exercise most every day. Outdoor exercise is beneficial. Basically, the idea is to tire yourself out during the day, which naturally leads to better sleep at night.
Also avoid any caffeine in any form after about mid-day, and try scheduling yourself about an hour for a relaxing wind-down period before bed. No stress during this time, nothing too stimulating. Just relax and help yourself transition to sleep.
If and when you do awaken during the night, that's OK. Everyone does to some degree. Just try to let go the worry, and accept rest in bed as OK. By letting go the worry you'll more easily fall back asleep.
And be confident that this will all work out and you'll be OK. Please keep us updated on how you're doing.