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...
Hey all, it's been a really long time since I posted here. I had really bad insomnia for a period of time but was able to defeat it. At first I had to take some anxiety medication and it worked. Eventually I got tired of having to rely on a pill so I slowly went off the pill. So I've been sleeping really well lately.
However, I fear my insomnia is coming back. It's already getting REALLY hot and I am the worlds pickiest sleeper. I couldn't sleep worth crap tonight and woke up drenched in sweat. I just flat out CAN'T sleep when it's hot. I checked the temperature and its 75 degrees in here. I would rather sleep in 60 degree rooms than 75! I've always slept much better when it's cold.
Opening up the window and at least any fan I've found isn't an option. I work nights from like 3 pm to 11p.m. and the absolute earliest I can go to bed is midnight, usually more like 1 a.m. ish. I'm an extremely light sleeper and have to sleep with ear phones. Even w/ ear phones I could still hear the t.v. in the other room and had to tell my mom to stop watching t.v. at night. I also wake up to cars driving around 6-8 A.m. sometimes even when the windows closed... Guaranteed I'd wake up every night if I had that window open.
About fans, I've never found one that's cold/can blow really fast without making noise. I can't stand any sound what so ever. I can't sleep with white noise, peaceful music, listening to the sound of water and things most people can.
I seriously got so depressed last year when I wasn't sleeping because I felt dead tired every day and it felt like I had to get angry just to wake myself up enough to do something like go to work or go to the gym. I really don't want to go through that again...Does anyone have any ideas?
However, I fear my insomnia is coming back. It's already getting REALLY hot and I am the worlds pickiest sleeper. I couldn't sleep worth crap tonight and woke up drenched in sweat. I just flat out CAN'T sleep when it's hot. I checked the temperature and its 75 degrees in here. I would rather sleep in 60 degree rooms than 75! I've always slept much better when it's cold.
Opening up the window and at least any fan I've found isn't an option. I work nights from like 3 pm to 11p.m. and the absolute earliest I can go to bed is midnight, usually more like 1 a.m. ish. I'm an extremely light sleeper and have to sleep with ear phones. Even w/ ear phones I could still hear the t.v. in the other room and had to tell my mom to stop watching t.v. at night. I also wake up to cars driving around 6-8 A.m. sometimes even when the windows closed... Guaranteed I'd wake up every night if I had that window open.
About fans, I've never found one that's cold/can blow really fast without making noise. I can't stand any sound what so ever. I can't sleep with white noise, peaceful music, listening to the sound of water and things most people can.
I seriously got so depressed last year when I wasn't sleeping because I felt dead tired every day and it felt like I had to get angry just to wake myself up enough to do something like go to work or go to the gym. I really don't want to go through that again...Does anyone have any ideas?
Or leave the window open for an hour or two before going to bed?
Maybe to get the temperature of your room down for when you do try to fall asleep?
Do you have a basement? Basements tend to stay pretty cool.
Would you be able to move your bedroom down in the basement?
Sleeping in the basement might be able to help cut down traffic noise as well.
You might considering investing in a small portable a/c unit you can run near your bed. Sleeping cool is important for most of us.
Not sure what your sleep schedule is like, but you might try reducing a bit the time you allow in bed, which should help increase your sleep drive. Use an alarm clock for this. Getting up at the same time every day will also help, as will daily exercise.
The night sweats suggest you may be experiencing heightened levels of stress and/or anxiety. So managing those should help with your sleep as well.
Would encourage you to consider a comprehensive CBT-based sleep training program, as this will allow you to address all these issues.
If you ever feel like stress or anxiety is overwhelming, by all means talk to a healthcare professional. There are ways to successfully reduce stress and manage anxiety without drugs, and getting to the true roots can be a lasting solution.
Good luck.
That basement Idea might be a good idea...it's to messy to have my whole bedroom down there but I bet I could make room for my bed.I don't really want to put my whole bed re together but maybe I could just carry the mattress part down and have it be like sort of a air mattress.
Thanks 4 the idea!
My sleeping schedule isn't very consistent but like I said, I've been sleeping good for the last 4 or so months. Typically I go to bed 1-2 A.M and wake up 10 A.M-Noon. Some days I wake up at 8 or 9 in the morning and don't feel tired so I stay up, and other days I sleep till noon.
As its gotten hotter my sleeping has slowly gotten worse. As its gotten hotter, I've had far more 5-7 A.M. wake ups where I end up waking up(unable to go back to bed),end up going back to bed at 9 or so A.M. and sleeping till noon or later. Like I said, I think the heat is playing the biggest role in this. I'm a light sleeper and when I'm not sleeping as well/ deep because of it being hot, I think I'm more prone to waking up from traffic. Last night was by fair the hottest night and my poorest day of sleep in a long time.
I am a little stressed because I got my first job approximately 4 weeks ago, but I don't think stress is why I was sweating. Also, I got my blood pressure measured and it was for the first time in a LONG time at/ actually slightly better than the recommended 120/80 level.
Although I have no proof/ verification, I personally believe I have asp burgers, or some sort of mental disorder. Academic wise, you'd never be able to say this, but all my life I've had a lot harder time doing certain things than others. These tend to be mechanical things like building or doing things with hands. But I also remember things like in Elementary school having to take a "speech" class. Others have told me I'm extremely monotone when I talk and I've myself over recordings and stuff and can vouch. It just doesn't make sense cause it seems like I'm not being monotone when I'm talking but then I hear myself and I am! I also ALWAYS feel at least somewhat nervous. I've gotten A LOT better but I despise public speaking. I'm even nervous when talking to an individual person at time, including family and friends! That said, this year I've made more friends than I typically would, did better on a presentation that I usually would, and in general just talked to the average stranger more confidently than normal.
I still think it's the temperature causing my recent sleep troubles, not these perhaps mental issues that I may have. Also, unfortunately I just don't see a purpose in seeking medical attention for this. I also have a totally separate physical condition called scoliosis. I have it so bad and was suggested to get surgery but I didn't and I can still do what other people can do, just with a little more work/and or pain. If I've learned one thing in this world, it's that the world does accommodate/make it easier for you if you have physical and or mental issues. That is why I don't think I'd spend money on medical treatment hearing them tell me that I have what I already suspect.
First, I would not be the least bit surprised if the lengthening days are affecting you. As they do us all. The next two months have the longest days/shortest nights of the year, and in response, our circadian rhythms must adjust, or entrain as it's called.
You will do yourself a big favor if you start having regular sleep hours. Especially important for someone your age is a consistent wake-up time, 7 days a week if you can do it. Consistency enables your biological clock to synchronize to your circadian rhythm. These are biological process that largely underlie and control sleep.
This is important. Establishing some regularity and consistency in your 24-hour rhythm is one of the single best things you can do for better sleep.
Second, start checking Craigslist for portable a/c units. Wouldn't be surprised if you can find a decent used one for less than $100. (Of course fall or winter would be a better time to buy!) Sleeping cool will help, and it could be a good white noise machine.
Regarding Aspberger's, or autistic spectrum disorder, or whatever you want to call it, this is a good insight.
So you will also help yourself by nurturing a positive social support network. You might consider joining an Aspberger's support group. Or if that's not your thing, consider other sorts of social groups you can join, maybe in your church or religious organization, or even a sports team.
All of us need to put some energy into developing a positive social support network. It doesn't happen by itself. But it is so important. We can help support you on this site, but having caring people you can interact with live who understand you in a positive and supportive way is of course better.
Good luck.