I have been having problems with insomnia, not getting to sleep but staying asleep.?

Question

What causes insomnia and what are the best ways to deal with it? I am worried about becoming dependent on prescription sleep aids, but I need to get some sleep. Does anyone know anything about the leading sleep medications such as ambien? Also, how does melatonin work, and does it cause dependency?

Answer 1

From someone who actually believes they sleep too hard (eye muscles ache in the morning from so much REM), I say you should certainly see a doctor. If you are waking up soonafter falling asleep, you may have depression. A doctor can prescribe anti-depressants - you may have to try several before you find one that works for you which can take months [most take 4 weeks to kick in; a very few take a week] - but counselling may be a better option to try to examine and fix what is causing the depression and not just offering a cushion for it. Ambien does cause the sleep walking. My father drove around town on Ambien about two years ago and finally (fortunately) got stuck in some mud. The cops picked him up around 5:30am wearing only t-shirt and underwear and covered in mud. I went and got him. He has no memory of it whatsoever. I read where Melatonin should be taken in the late afternoon and not at night so that it will be where it's needed when the time comes to sleep. Melatonin sold in pill form is a copy of a brain chemical that causes you to become sleepy and fall asleep. It isn't habit forming - it's sold over-the-counter as a supplement of sorts. I hope everyting will work out for you.

Answer 2

Consult first a specialist doctor and undergo treatment for insomnia.You may mention your fears of dependency so that he may prescribe a suitable medicine..Causes of insomnia are many, known and unknown and you can get plenty of information about the causes from google
Practicing appropriate yogasanas daily will help you to solve the problem permanently.However you should practice under the guidance of a qualified teacher..Best of luck

Answer 3

GETTING to sleep is a problem of anxiety. STAYING asleep is a big ol' red flag for depression. Go to the doc, get the underlying problem taken care of and the sleep will take care of itself.

Also, get on an exercise program, where you really exert yourself and are physically tired. Sometimes it will take care of both problems at once.

I would not recommend prescription sleep aids. They can really screw up the body's inner clock/sleep cycling.

Answer 4

Stress, depression, anxiety, worrying, sometimes too much exercise, breathing disruptions during sleep.

Talk to your doctor to find out what applies to you. Your doctor should best be able to tell you the best options for you. Tell them you're trying to stay away from prescriptions.

No one else here can diagnose your problem here online.