I can't sleep and it's driving me mad! Please help!!!!?

Question

I have not had a good night's sleep for about a year. I can't get to sleep until about 4am and I have to get up early most days. I have been to my doctor, and I have tried many techniques to try and get to sleep. As you can see, I'm still awake now! Anyone got any ideas please? Thanks.

I can't take any other miedcation due to some tablets I am taking. But thankyou for your advice x

I meant medication by the way! I'm 20 so hopefully not the menopause lol!

Answer 1

Sounds like insomnia to me.

My advise would be to see your doctor again and tell him or her that the problem still hasn't cleared up as he or she will know how to deal with your problem best.

Answer 2

Did anything happen to start this a year ago? Is your job stressful? You don't say what you've tried or what the doctors have told you, so I don't really know how to advise you. But, I know that when I am faced with a seriously stressful situation, I cannot sleep. I can do everything possible but sleep. Once the stressful situation is gone, the sleeplessness goes away and I can rest.

It's hard but you might try meditating. It works for some. Wine and a hot shower or bath (be careful not to fall asleep in the tub) also work to relax me when I feel wound up in the evening. Something else that I've noticed about my sleeplessness is that during the evenings, I really need to wind down. That means, from around dinner time to "bed time" (when ever that may be), I avoid rapid activities (no vacuuming, no running up and down the stairs to do the laundry, no running errands, etc.). I also find that timing some good cardio/aerobic exercise in the late afternoon will relax me for the evening. I avoid caffeine after 3pm and I try to sleep/wake at the same times every day. Sometimes, noises or waiting for the alarm clock will keep me awake -- my solution is earplugs. They take a little getting accustomed to, but they work wonders for me. This seems to help me sleep the most: I put something over my eyes (an eye pillow, or a folded T-shirt or a scarf works, too) -- this counteracts my tendency to open my eyes and check the clock (I have also hidden the clock numbers but, I check the room to see if it's light, yet!). Anyway, I have not had much trouble sleeping the last couple of years -- probably because I have not had super stressful events lately and also because I am more aware of what keeps me up at night. (Plus, I have to salute my old black t-shirt that I fold and use as an eye pillow). Good luck. I hope that you find rest right around the corner.

Answer 3

You don't need medication, you can find the natural way to sleep.
1) You may be one of those people who only needs 4 or 5 hours sleep, they do exist.
2) You may try not drinking any coffee, tea or Coca-cola after a certain time, say 3 pm.
3) Try a glass of wine half an hour before sleeping, it can make one drowsy.
4) Read yourself to sleep.-
5) Listen to the radio in the dark, either talk or music, to stop your mind from racing.
6) Sometimes it helps to have a snack, a sandwich or a bowl of cereal.
7) Many swear by a warm bath at around 10, which relaxes one.
8) Don't fret: make sure bed is comfortable.
Good luck!

Answer 4

First of all stay away from any of those sleeping pills that your doctor may recommend.

Secondly realize that sleeping is not something that you have to try to achieve, its something natural that should occur on its own.

Trying to go to sleep will only keep you more awake, just lay back, don't think too much and let sleep take over you.

Here's some tips to help you ....
- Ensure you do not eat anything at-least 2 to 3 hours before bed.
- If you drink too much coffee or high energy caffine drinks during the day, reduce or try to eliminate them completely. Avoid coffee in the evenings, a cup of tea is better.
- A cup of hot milk (unsweetened) before bed, should help.
- A good shower before bed works just as fine.
- Make sure your bed is comfortable, and the temperature in your room is set to a comfortable setting to your body.
- If there are any external noises distracting you from sleeping, do something about it to ensure its quiet and peaceful.
- When laying on your bed. Focus on your breathing. If you find your mind drifting to thoughts, slowly bring your attention back to your breathing.
- Before bedtime, DO NOT engage yourself in an activity that may get you excited, such as reading a book or watching an engaging TV show, this will only make u more alert. However if it relaxes you, then its fine.

Hope these tips help.

Answer 5

Try to read a book. It tires out your eyes and you can read still!Sometimes music helps. Try to just lay down and relax. I noticed that when I watch TV before bed.... I wanna turn the TV back on and keep watching. So don't watch TV before bed. Sometimes it matters on the angle of the way you sleep. Also during the day if your running around and really getting active you will pass out like that! One time when I was babysitting a 5 and 3 year-old, I was running all around the house. When I finally got home i fell asleep in 5 seconds! Hope that helped!!!!!

Answer 6

Hmmm... Not to be extreme, but you could be bipolar. Are you having any other symptoms of "mania"? Have you started taking any new medications within the past year? I know antidepressants can cause insomnia. Also, pressure/stress, overanalyzing things in your mind, disturbing sleep environment (noisy, hot, etc.) can cause it.

I had this problem when I started on a particular antidepressant, and it lasted for about a year after I stopped taking it. I still get insomnia off and on when stressed. Of course, I'm getting older now (mid-thirties), so we need less sleep.

The best things for me were to get plenty of fresh air and exercise during the day; look at my meds and supplements and evaluate what I was taking and when; make sure mattress and bed were comfortable; de-clutter the bedroom; and meditating. And try not to worry (ha). Eventually, it worked itself out.

Answer 7

I read in a magazine one day that makes ya fall asleep fast. I didnt think it worked but I tried it one night and it did work. What you do is when your laying there trying to go to sleep, open your mouth like your trying to yawn but keep ur lips closed, so basicly drop you r bottom jaw as far as you can with out opening your lips, then lift your tounge so its not touching any part of your mouth, and count to 25-30 in your head by the time you get to 30 you will be sleeping. I don't no why this works but i do it every night and puts me to sleep fast! hope it helps

Answer 8

first get healthy, eat healthy, exercise, and if you exercise enough and eat a light dinner then have a medium glass of milk a half hour before bed you may start to get to sleep. make the room very dark and put a small fan or something that makes a humming sound or get one of thoes new age cds with waves and seagulls etc and turn it way down low.
a good days work or workout helps. you can also try reading while lying on your back in your bed after you drink the milk.
milk has certain enzymes that help you fall asleep.
good luck

Answer 9

Ive had the same problem laterly ,anyhow I ussually make a sandwich get on with some work or learning ,say a few prayers ()and dont worry about it ,the kids will wake up me up in morning any way the other suggestions sound fine and drinking in my case English tea (yeah milky) reaallly helps

Answer 10

Somebody already mentioned that sometimes people need little sleep. But, if you get tired durign the day, then your body and mind need more sleep.

Watch what you eat or drink in the evenings. Milk or any sort of calcium consumed an hour before going to bed helps. Try aromatherapy, drink chamomile tea.

Try and relax. Don't worry too much.

Answer 11

sounds like your either depressed or your not stimulating your mind as much as you need to and therefore your brain becomes overwhelmed with racing thoughts and worries ruining your sleep. it is soo important that you're asleep between 10:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. this is when your body does it's own natural "updating" and recharging.. try and keep busy even active if possible for at least 8 hours during the daytime, you need to challenge yourself every day and learn something new! if you don't use it you will lose it.. good luck!