Posted by Hopeful on May 31, 2009 at 11:18:01:

In Reply to: Re: reframing insomnia posted by F43 on May 31, 2009 at 09:01:58:

Interesting dialogue. Last week I very skeptically went to a sleep psychologist. This was after my 15 minute analysis by a "guru" psychiatrist who basically said there may be no hope. This woman was amazing and worth every penny. She spent over an hour with me (yes expensive but oh well). She took a thorough history and quite confidently told me my insomnia arises from an anxiety disorder that has been inherited. She feels that it may not even have been my med (Trimiprimine), helping me sleep for the past 12 yrs as it's really not that great a sleeping med. She thinks perhaps it was a placebo for me-dont' know if I agree but anyway... She said that just about anything can trigger off the insomnia in someone prone to it and then the anxiety kicks in and perpetuates it. She could see that my anxiety is running very high right now, especially since I have had to take a leave from work. She agrees with GP's idea of Effexor or Paxil for anxiety as opposed to the clonazapam I am taking (not helping me sleep). She is also putting me on a modified sleep restriction routine- not as drastic as all the books say. She is only allowing 8 hours in bed-I am used to going into bed between 8 and 9 and watching TV and reading for 2 hours. Since I've been off work, I've of course been staying in bed as long as I want. So I am out of the bedroom til 11 and set my alarm for 7. She feels my brain can be retrained and that ultimately I won't even need the med. It's been 3 nights now-the first 2 nights were pretty good but last night was awful-no sleep. So I don't want to get too excited yet. Plus I haven't started the med yet. I am almost offthe Trazodone that put me in that horrible stage 1 sleep all night. I honestly feel better after a night of no sleep that a night like that. Bottom line-she gave me hope. And Optimistic- she did point out that insomnia doesn't kill anyone and she has worked in this field for a long time. I am trying not to be too impatient and trust that God will work this out in His time.

Follow Ups:

• Re: reframing insomnia Scott M 13:04 5/31/09 (2)
  • Re: reframing insomnia Hopeful 15:58 5/31/09 (1)
    • Re: reframing insomnia F43 16:44 5/31/09 (0)
• Re: reframing insomnia F43 11:41 5/31/09 (0)

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