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...
So I've had severe insomnia several years ago which lasted for at least 3 months. Got over it without depending on heavy medication (except for Ambien for a few nights, which I swore I will never take again). Now it's back. It started with an actual stressful event, but after that issue has resolved, it morphed into not being able to sleep because I have conditioned myself into being afraid of not being able to fall asleep. As soon as I hit the bed, if I'm still awake after 30 minutes, I start panicking and that goes until sunrise, if I do get lucky to fall asleep. Sometimes, I don't get any sleep at all.
I know anxiety is the root cause, because on good days when I feel very relaxed, I can fall asleep, no problem. But it gets ruined the next night that I can't sleep and all the anxiety comes back and so far, I can't relax again. I really don't want to take any Rx medication (although I will admit I have been taking OTC sleep aids like Zzquil or Unisom). I do all the relaxing things before bed, like calming music, chamomile tea, and it doesn't work like it used to.
Is it normal to go a few sleepless nights in a row and not be sleepy and tired the following day? Besides being slightly light-headed, I still function almost as normally as I can with getting a full night's sleep.
Please help!
The conditioned insomnia you describe is also very common after experiencing a stressful event. Sleep itself becomes the stressor.
As you've discovered, there are better ways than taking pills or OTC substances. You're actually ahead because you've identified your true underlying root cause -- stress about sleep.
This is a tad different than anxiety, though we all have at least some of both.
Presuming you have no untreated medical issues, suggest you check out a good CBT sleep training program. These substance-free methods will enable you to address those nasty negative thoughts that perpetuate and prolong the problem. In addition, CBT sleep training will also give you a comprehensive structure that guides you to optimal sleeping.
In the meantime, it sounds like you'll be OK with just letting go the worry best you can, as you are functioning well. Good luck.
I do wonder why I'm mostly okay in the day during my weeks of insomnia. I'm grateful I haven't gone crazy, maybe because I have good friends who let me vent about my anxiety. But on those years of no insomnia, getting only 5-6 hours of sleep would turn me into a cranky, dizzy zombie the following day. Maybe I'm fueled by adrenaline?
I read your responses to other posts, and I take comfort in your encouragement that our bodies need for sleep will overcome insomnia. And that maybe I'm sleeping, but just not deep enough to be fully rested. I just need to regain my sleep confidence back. I keep worrying I wouldn't be able to sleep normally again, and getting a couple of hours of sleep at nights would wreck my health.
Focus on getting REST every night. Not sleep, necessarily. Just simply resting in bed, not tossing & turning & not getting up too often is good for you. Sleep will come easier when you ease the pressure of feeling the urgent need to sleep & when your body truly needs it. I know it's easier said than done.. I've only slept one decent night this entire week lol. But your brain hasn't forgotten how to sleep, it's just being a little kooky at the moment. Have faith & rely on your support system. xx
I hope you can resume your normal sleep too, joeybrave!