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 used to be a regular here on this forum a few years ago. I struggled with chronic insomnia for about 5 months (average sleep of 2 hrs/night for much of this time). I got back up to around 6 hrs/night with some CBT therapy BUT the sleep I did get was VERY un-refreshing. It felt like I didn't sleep much at all...felt very fatigued & head felt very fuzzy/irritable...especially behind the eyes. I stayed like this for about 2 years. I worked on sleep hygiene, diet, exercise, bright light therapy, relaxation, etc with little improvement. I kept a sleep diary, had an overnight sleep study, researched and posted regularly on this forum. At one time, I thought I might have leaky gut and/or candida overgrowth. I read several books on insomnia and digestive health. To sum it all up.....I've done a lot of stone turning.
The good news....I have recovered. What I finally learned/accepted is that I had depression. I didn't think I had it because I wasn't sad nor did I have suicidal thoughts. I have a fairly good life....good job, good wife...good kids....good friends....and even a loyal dog! BUT...I wasn't excited about much, had early-morning awakening/unrefreshing sleep, stopped wanting to be around people, often felt irritable and very fatigued.
I finally decided to see a psychiatrist and I got diagnosed with depression. I had a difficult time finding the right medication....one that would improve my symptoms. At times during the "medication merry-go around", I thought that maybe I wasn't depressed.....that it's got to be something else. However, I got on the right depression medication and my mood, energy and sleep improved dramatically.
There are many causes of insomnia.....depression is only one of them. I'm hoping this post might encourage some of you to keep looking for the underlying cause of your insomnia. Don't give up!
The good news....I have recovered. What I finally learned/accepted is that I had depression. I didn't think I had it because I wasn't sad nor did I have suicidal thoughts. I have a fairly good life....good job, good wife...good kids....good friends....and even a loyal dog! BUT...I wasn't excited about much, had early-morning awakening/unrefreshing sleep, stopped wanting to be around people, often felt irritable and very fatigued.
I finally decided to see a psychiatrist and I got diagnosed with depression. I had a difficult time finding the right medication....one that would improve my symptoms. At times during the "medication merry-go around", I thought that maybe I wasn't depressed.....that it's got to be something else. However, I got on the right depression medication and my mood, energy and sleep improved dramatically.
There are many causes of insomnia.....depression is only one of them. I'm hoping this post might encourage some of you to keep looking for the underlying cause of your insomnia. Don't give up!
Have you found effective ways to treat depression that don't involve drugs? Or do you think you will need to treat this pharmaceutically for the rest of your life?
No...my post detailed what I tried before I started depression medication. I did not mention other things I have done...like yoga....intense exercise (running 3-5 miles, weight-lifting, etc) about 3-5 times/week. Supplements.....many of those. I'm also seeing a therapist. I have tried to overcome depression from many different angles but the drugs make the biggest difference.
I don't know if I will need them the rest of my life. This is my second bout of depression. The statistics are not in my favor. Those that have had a second bout of depression have about a 75% - 90% chance of experiencing another round of depression. I'm surrendered to the idea that i may need medication for the rest of my life if needed. I believe that best practice is to stay on antidepressants for 2 years after remitting if this is the second bout of depression. So I will continue using and then evaluate when the 2-yr window is completed. My family has some history with depression so I think that i may have a strong predisposition to it.