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'm on week 9 of having felt as if I haven't slept at all more than perhaps 4-5 days in that span. I understand the concept of "sleep state misperception" but it's not a comfort when you feel like you haven't slept at all. I read about insomniacs complaining about 4-5 hours per night - Ha! I'd pay my left arm for 4-5 hours per night.
My mind will not switch off no matter the drugs (Benzos, Z-drugs, Amitriptyline, Trazodone) and I'm starting to wonder where this ends? I'm not suicidal, but I simply wonder if my heart will give out. Or my mind will give out on me and I'll fall on the floor drooling in a delerious state. I have had some sort of mental or physical "block" or "wall" that doesn't permit sleep. When I'm about to doze off, it snaps me awake: in pain (a quick headache that subsides after a few seconds/minute). Even though I meet with my doctor weekly, he just rubs his eyes not knowing what else to do.
Give me a story of your extreme insomnia and maybe how you turned it around?
I am referred to a sleep specialist but I'm Canadian which means that although he's free, it takes 9-12 months to get in with a sleep specialist and get a sleep study done. I am going to try some online CBT unless my doc thinks it's a big waste of time. I may even start it tomorrow!
Your post is telling, in the sense that you may have revealed a possible solution in your description.
First, good on ya for knowing about sleep state misperception. That means you're taking the time to understand this and better that's a very good step forward.
Now take a good close look at what you posted. Do you see any possibility that you may be fueling your insomnia with your fears and intensely negative thoughts? You realize of course that you have at least some control over what you choose to think and not think. You can choose to take some of the pressure off yourself with these negative thoughts about sleep.
What do you think would happen if you were to just magically release every insomnia fear and every negative sleep thought for 24 hours? Honestly?
I realize you may have underling medical and/or psychiatric issues beyond your control. That's where you can find solutions with a doc, and if not this one, then maybe ask for a referral to a doc that specializes in sleep.
Also, your description sounds like textbook hyperarousal. I had this at one time too, so absolutely check on the being yanked awake at the last second before dozing off. That's the absolute worst. So if it's any comfort, know it ain't just you.
The to reducing hyperarousal is effective stress management and control of anxiety. Both can be done with nonpharmaceutical methods as I've described before.
I don't know you, but suspect you have the power within yourself right now to make this better. The key is to identify the true underlying root causes and have a strategy to manage them.
However, I'm not there anymore. When I go to bed now my mind is blank and I feel relaxed. Especially with my Amitriptyline medication at about 70 mg/night. I was able to get a decent 5.5 hours two nights ago. Sadly yesterday I regressed - probably my fault as I had some alcohol and reduced my Amitriptyline to 25 mg for the night.