I keep waking up during the night no matter how early/late I go to bed and never feel I've had enough sleep

Question

I often wake up feeling like I never slept at all and have a headache. Most of the time I feel exhausted but every now and then I get too much energy and feel hyperactive. My mood swings from tearful to exciteable and back again without warning. Sometimes I feel bored and want to do something crazy but mostly I can't concentrate or make decisions and just want to sleep. How can I have so much energy and be excitable one moment and then feel exhausted and tearful the next?

Answer 1

Not being able to sleep at night is one type of Hell, isn't it?

It certainly sounds like bipolar (Manic/depressive) disorder from the symptoms you describe - extreme mood swings, insomnia.

Wanting to do something crazy, having too much energy and feeling hyperactive sound like Mania.

Feeling exhausted and tearful sounds like depression.

Not having enough sleep can cause headaches.

Depression and mania will both keep you up at night and make it difficult to make decisions and concentrate.

BIpolar Disorder is caused by chemical embalances in the brain. Your brain makes too many of some neurotransmitters and not enough of others. Medication makes your brain make more of what it needs and absorb the ones it needs less of.

Mood disorders (including major depression and others) run in families. Are there any family members who seem depressed a lot? ANy alcoholics? Lots if people with bipolar disorder try to "treat" their symptoms with alcohol or with speed and then marijuana. THat generally lands them in jail, prison, or a mental hospital. Not good.

THere are several good medications out there now for bipolar disorder. Lithium, Depakote, Trileptal, Lamictal, etc. Plus MANY antidepressants. You may have to try several different combinations of medications before you get it just right without side effects, etc.

I take some of these medications everyday and am able to function fine as a single mom and a mental health professional. I have a normal life now, and I can FINALLY get a good night's sleep!

DOn't bother with alternative treatments, herbs, etc. I tried them all. Didn't work. Wasted money and time.

IN the mean time, excercise helps wear you out (but not just before bedtime) and a warm bath at night will help you sleep. Something in milk and in turkey make you feel sleepy. (That's why people get so sleepy after THanksgiving dinner.) SO maybe you could have some before bed.

Here is one trick you may never have heard of: If you can't get still in bed at night (feel restless, can't get comfortable), get up and put your blue jeans on. THey will help you keep your legs still. Works for me.

You will feel much better once you can get stable and get some sleep.

Answer 2

You might have depression. Or lack of sleep is getting to you. I would try taking melatonin, which you can buy at Walmart, etc. for really cheap. Follow the directions it has on the bottle. Melatonin is a natural sleep aid which your body produces, but sometimes it doesn't produce enough and taking this supplement might help. If this doesn't help, I would talk to your doctor. Depression may be the cause. Good luck and try to catch some ZZZZZ's!

Answer 3

Sounds like you have a lot on your mind. Lots of things influence sleep patterns. Try going to sleep later, having a hot drink before (try Horlicks!) and topping off with some natural sleeping pills (ones with Valerian in them) The headaches sound as if they are caused by de-hydration, so drink up to 2 litres of water a day for a few days. I suggest you experiment, but not with drinkdrugs!!

Answer 4

if your bed is facing a mirror then maybe you cant rest because your energy keeps bouncing of in the reflexion instead of leaving your body that's why you feel so much energized, but since your body is not resting that's why you feel tired. solution: move your bed so it doesn't face anything that might reflect you while you sleep. TK CR

Answer 5

You may also need some hormone tests. Pay attention and see if your problems are worse just before your period. Melatonin will help you get back to sleep.

Answer 6

i know exactly how you feel,
we have a special saying to say if we cant sleep, our prophit tought it to as, and it helps alot.

besides you an take a book and read it , i also works for me, i fall asleep before even i fifnish the fist page.

if you have a can for example, make her sleep in you laps it works as a sleeping pills :)

Answer 7

Please see a doctor. There are a number of sleep disorders. As well you may have ADD or even depression and not know it.
Best wishes

Answer 8

U may be depressed. If u r having periods or extreme mania followed by depression,u may be bipolar. See ur dr.

Answer 9

Talk to your doctor. You may have sleep apnea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_apnea

Answer 10

Have you recently started taking any Meds??? that might have something to do with it???