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...

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BrianBalance 01/13/2015

Which is the bigger sleep problem the group? Falling asleep, staying asleep, or both equally?

I'm usually tired enough to go to sleep at bedtime, but my main issue is waking up in the middle of the night with an overactive mind. I think about work, interactions with people, or even what I'm going to do this weekend. I've had this problem my entire life. When it happens, I do meditation exercises to put these thoughts "in the trash". Works for me most of the time.

LittleSadie 01/14/2015

I have a hard time falling asleep. Even with medication, it usually takes me about 2 hours lately. I have a hard time shutting my mind down. I try to meditate, but not always successfully. Once I am asleep, I can sleep the whole night. But then it's hard to get up if I have to go to work. You'd think after a couple days of this, I would fall asleep faster, but no. That's why I don't think the sleep deprivation theory works, for me, anyway.

Biatta 01/14/2015

Agree with Sadie, it takes me 2 hours after I take my meds to fall asleep. I can not meditate, I just do not understand how does it work. I try to think positive, visualize good moments, listen to the music/audio book...but after an hour of doing all that stuff I am getting pissed off because it does not work and I am getting wide awake before the meds finally knock me out.

LittleSadie 01/14/2015

Yes, pissed off is how I felt last night after about an hour of lying there. Laid there a couple more hours I think. Got up at 7 for work. I feel terrible today, barely functioning. Left work early. So tired. Can't wait to sleep tonight. Hopefully it goes better. And I see my Dr. tomorrow, so we'll see what he says. Sigh...

Brookellen 01/14/2015

Little Sadie,

I'm so sorry you had a rough night. I hope tonight it's better and I hope you can get some sleep or least good rest--even if it's not the deepest of sleep. I'm sure you will be relieved to get to meet with your dr and problem solve a little. Don't give up the fight! Keep fighting for your health and well-being.

Biatta 01/14/2015

Sadie, the only thing that can help is not to go to bed just right after you take medication. Sometimes, I take meds and do some light cleaning or cooking, then when I feel really drowsy I go to bed. Believe me it is better than spinning and get frustrated. The other days I forget this simple rule, and horrible night id guaranteed. Good Luck today!

LittleSadie 01/15/2015

Thanks for your support, guys. Feeling much better today.

BrianBalance 01/16/2015

I've been studying meditation for a while and have even written a few (one for sleep). I'll open a new thread in the next couple of days with a few tips.

Biatta/Sadie, message me on this board, and I'll email you a copy. I don't think I'm supposed to post links here.

LittleSadie 01/16/2015

Thanks Brian. I believe you can post links here, I have a link posted to the insomnia quiz that's further down on the message board. Look forward to hearing more from you ( :

BrianBalance 02/09/2015

OK. Here's the link to my sleep meditation:

http://beyondbalanceweb.com/meditation-sleep-instructions/

All info on the site is free, and I'll email a free guided sleep meditation to anyone who signs up for the monthly newsletter.

Good luck!!!

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