|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
Posted by Cairo on February 20, 2006 at 11:12:55:In Reply to: Help once again! posted by Gadgirl on February 20, 2006 at 07:25:21:
One of the most important shifts I made was to stop thinking that I "MUST" sleep "OR ELSE". This was a very powerful shift for me, away from "I have to sleep" to "I prefer to sleep". When I have rough periods, usually due to stress, I just remind myself that eventually I'll sleep again, and that until I do, I'll survive. When I look back on my life, that's how I tolerated other sleepless periods, before the insomnia took on a life of its own. I'd just assume my sleep was disturbed due to stress and I'd set the conditions for a good night sleep and then let it happen, be it that night, or the next, or the next. Setting the conditions might mean going to bed early, clearing a weekend for relaxation, not having any alcohol, whatever.
When the insomnia took over, I began thinking, "I have to sleep tonight or tomorrow will be terrible" or some version of that defeating thought. Then when I didn't sleep I'd make sure that the self-fulfilling prophecy came true by obsessing about the next night and wishing the day away, miserable and cranky. shifting my thinking not only improved my sleep, it improved my whole life. Now, I certainly feel better if I sleep, but I don't make it the end of the world if I don't.
I'm one of the few who believe that medications, some medications, are okay. I take Remeron and think that Trazadone and other antidepressants are a reasonable choice, as long as you don't think it's the whole solution to your problem. But that Ambien seems like trouble to me...I've never tried it, but it seems logical that anything meant to be a short-term "fix" would become a long-term problem.
Yes, you aren't sleeping because you had to put your kitty to sleep...I put mine to sleep in August and didn't sleep well either. I'd throw away the Ambien, keep the Trazadone, and work on your thinking patterns. Once your thinking is in better order, you can get rid of the Trazadone, too but at least that's meant for long-term use. I wouldn't increase the dose, either, because that creates a further feeling that you can't sleep without it, rather than viewing it as one part of your recovery.
Archived Insomnia Forum28 viewing only. To post go to the Insomnia Forum Homepage
- IMPORTANT : Information not intended as medical advice. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder you should seek care from a qualified professional. Read Terms of Use.
- The Sleep Forums are not to be used for commercial purposes.
- Commercial products and services are not endorsed by Sleepnet.com.
- Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.
Copyright ©1995-2006 Sleepnet.com., All rights reserved