major sleeping problems and depression!

[nia]

Hello everyone. I'm not a regular poster here, but I can't sleep and I'd like to know if anyone has advice on how to cure insomnia?

 

For the past few months now, my insomnia has developed to the point where I can't fall asleep until 4-6am even if I have to get up an hour later. I think it has to do with the fact I've also been extremely depressed. I don't know why, but I also sometimes have anxiety attacks at night around this time. I feel like I'm paralyzed or trapped and I sometimes hyper-ventilate. This is taking a serious toll on my health. I eat less, because I'm always exhausted, sometimes too tired to even eat (which is not good considering I'm 5'4 and only 102-105 pounds). I've lost my appetite and am constantly sick. Usually I wake up feeling nauseous with a pounding headache. Does anyone have this bad a case of insomnia?

 

I've talked to friends about it, and they've told me to see a specialist. I went to see my family doctor about it, but he didn't take me seriouosly- he told me to drink warm milk before bed or to take a hot bath!! He refused to prescribe me sleeping pills, said they're addictive. I think I should change doctors.

 

I start my university classes next week, plus have a part time job, so I don't know how I can function like this, before burning out.

 

I don't know, I just feel the need to vent this all out, even if it's just to strangers (but from what I've read here, intelligent and friendly strangers!).

 

Sorry for the long post, but I should mention that my family problems are the source of all this. My mother had an affair a couple years ago, lied to us all about it, moved out and married the other man. My father is now a ghost of a person (after going through the phase of phoning my mom from phone booths threatening to kill her), and my sister is a cold bitch who treats everyone with contempt and resentment (especially me) for no good reason.

 

Well, that's my sad and sorry life. Any advice is gratefully welcome.

[pearlsasinger]

Anxiety and depression can certainly cause insomnia, nausea, headaches.

 

You should go see a counselor or therapist. Does your university have a mental health center? I know mine did and it was free to meet with someone.

[JS17]

Sleeping pills aren't going to do it for you because you're not getting to the source of the problem which is your anxiety and depression. pearlsasinger suggested seeing a therapist or councelor (or social worker) and I strongly agree. You'll probably find a lot of advice on this kind of stuff on an anxiety forum, I'm sure there are tons out there. You can also read up on anxiety and depression so that you understand it better but it sounds like you really have some problems unique to yourself that need to be worked out. Good Luck.

[Mz. Pixie]

I disagree a bit. If she's seeing a good therapist and they prescribe her some sleeping pills- then that will help. No one can function or help but feel depressed when they sleep so little......

 

Not all sleeping pills are bad- there are some more addictive than others.

 

You need to see a therapist to get to the root of the problem. They will evaluate you for medication and talk therapy. It may take a few weeks but you will begin to feel better.

[JS17]

Agreed Ms Pixie (also my little kitty's name )

 

Sleeping pills in conjunction with therapy will help but sleeping pills alone will not solve her problem. If she doesn't take care of the anxiety she will continue to have problems.

[TnT]

I have a similar issue, a little bit of depression, but im working on that, but i tend to sleep all the time. Alot has to do with the fact that i am Anemic, but there are days when i have nothing to do (i study atm) and i just want to sleep the day away instead of doing things. Its stupid ey, i should be doing other things like cleaning, or studying, or hanging out with friends, but i am just so lazy and feel that i just cant be bothered. I think its going to wear off as soon as i get a job and other important things to do in my life.

[JS17]

Hey TnT...have you been checked for Thyroid Disease? Being tired all the time, depression, and having similar symptoms to anemia are all signs of Thyroid Disease. Just a thought....

[Jayhawks]

I would get a new doctor. You sound like you are depressed and your mind is keeping you from sleep. I have been there and you need to get to the bottom of your problem. Your anxiety could be caused by fear of what you think is wrong with you. Find someone to help you. You need medial care.

[TnT]

Hey js17, I never thought about that. TY, i will look into it. My friends all know about my iron issues and how i sleep alot. I just always put it down to being anemic. Thanks for the thoughts.

Sorry to distract from the original thread!!!

[PYT]

Agreed Ms Pixie (also my little kitty's name )

 

Sleeping pills in conjunction with therapy will help but sleeping pills alone will not solve her problem. If she doesn't take care of the anxiety she will continue to have problems.

 

That's right! I also think it is important to rule out any physical causes like people have mentioned here. But if they are ruled out you may want to join a cbt group.

[sophia34]

I agree with previous posters that this is something that you need to check out with a doctor/therapist, to rule out physical causes.

 

That said, the best sleep-inducer I have ever found is yoga. A yoga tape like "PM Yoga" or "Total Yoga" before bed relaxes mind AND body and just settles you in. You do only the moves that you are comfortable with and stretch only to the point that you can, without pushing it.

 

Whenever I'm having trouble sleeping for more than a couple nights in a row, I pull out a yoga tape and do that before I go to bed. It's like a sleeping pill, but healthier.

 

But do get checked out. If all's well, I would definitely recommend trying a simple yoga routine before bed. There are many tapes/DVDs available of different levels and lengths, so you can use what you like the most.

[un-reg-is5735]

Hey, I know it's been ten days since this thread's been active, but I just wanted to say that I understand, to an extent, how you feel. I have been depressed, on and off, for about three years, and have had a fairly serious sleeping problem for about two years. I cannot sleep until late at night, unless I am tired from previous lack of sleep, and one way or another I will sleep through anything but a human alarm clock (and I live on my own) until as late or later than 1:30PM. This is a huge problem for me as I am in high school (year 11), and have a part time as a nightfill in a supermarket from which I get home at about 11pm. This has taken a huge toll on my schooling, and I'm now only looking to pass year 11 and 12, rather than getting a good TER (that's what it's called here in Australia - grades %).

 

I must say I think the most important thing is to be happy again. Talk to your dad, if you can, see if you can get him to open up and let it out, and in turn you should be able to let out what you are feeling. When my mother died six and a half years ago, my dad and I would cry together, and talk about fond memories, and what we were feeling. It should be noted that following this, we stopped talking altogether (drifted apart) and our relationship actually became very bad, leading to me moving out, but I'm sure that's unrelated.

 

Find something in life to hold on to and motivate, maybe something you are passionate about. I love writing. If I feel bad, I work on the storyline for my book, and I'm in another world and happy again. Depression screws us up so much, you have to fight for your happiness, then things might get better. For anyone else having problems waking up, I have a few ideas... A powerpoint timer is infinitely useful, currently I'm running 1000 watt floodlights off of one, right by my bed (still doesn't work, but I'm honing it)

 

Sorry for the long post

Eli

[PYT]

Come back and give us an update on how you are doing Unreg 5735. I hope you have found something that has helped you