since i was younger i was never a great sleeper, but in the last three months or so i have had the worst time sleeping, i get into bed early i dont sleep, i get into bed late, i dont sleep....so i usually literally get about three hours sleep per night max and at times i get so tired during the day that i become like a zombie but when i get to bed im wide awake! its horrible, i dont know what to do!! its really affecting my work and also it makes me get quite depressed....
2007-02-27 08:31:48 · 7 answers · asked by Kristin H 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
There are some things that you can try. Eating bananas and turkey before bed, which have tripophan in them, can help. Also you can try having some warm milk to drink before bed, but it sounds like it might be more serious than what those things can do for you. You already said that you've always had trouble sleeping, which is not normal. You may have a medical condition that is keeping you from being able to go to sleep. Another thing to consider, since the last 3 months have been worse, is your stress level. A lot of times stress will keep you awake. One thing that is helpful is to write down all the things that are bothering you in a journal. Just to get them out of your head and down on paper can be helpful. Also make a list of things that you need to remember to do before you go to bed, so that you are not laying there worrying about whether or not you are going to remember important things that need to get done. If none of these things work, then I think it would be a good idea to go see a psychiatrist to get on some sleeping medication. You can try Rozeram, however it does not work for everyone. But, because it is safer than the other ones, I would try that one first. I also think that it would be a good idea if you could see a counselor for your depression. Even if you think that you are depressed because of the sleeping situation, I think that you may find that that is not the real reason. There may be other things that you don't even know of right now that you need to work through. These things will help you work through your depression and your sleeping problems. If all else fails, there are always medical studies being done on people with insomnia or places that specialize in studying why people can't sleep. But, I wouldn't worry about that until you've tried everything else. I hope that I have been of some help to you. Good Luck. :)
2007-02-27 09:16:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My own experience is somewhat similar.
For as long as I can remember, I never used to sleep longer than six hours, unless I was sick, or hadn't slept at all for more than a whole day, and my average was usually five hours, sometimes even less than that.
My MDs thought it was due to depression so they started me on regimens of pharmaceuticals, but most of them cut my sleeping down to two or less hours per night.
I recently started a treatment of a certain kind of salt that only MDs can prescribe, which for the first time in my life actually allowed me to sleep into my REM cycles long enough for me to remember what my dreams were about.
Since then, I've started a hormone therapy that has me sleeping seven hours per day, but my sleep cycles are so messed up right now that I'm not 100% sure that it's what I want to keep up, so I'm not going to share that info with you.
Instead, I recommend seeing an endocrinologist, and I recommend avoiding psychiatrists and psychologists, and other such time- and money-wasters in the so-called mental-health industry as you possibly can, until you have exhausted all your other options, because.. believe me, the psychoblabbers will tell you anything and everything they can in order to keep you coming in to see them, instead of referring you to other capable and qualified specialists, literally, for years, and years, and years. When, at least in my case, it wasn't anything related to their field at all.
2007-02-27 17:04:26 · answer #2 · answered by Robert G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear about the lack of sleep... Have you tried doing strenuous exercises that push your body to it's limit to the point where you have to just lay down and rest? Bikram yoga helps with sleep, it rids alot of unwanted toxins where you feel refreshed after each session and helps with multiple issues pertaining to chronic pain or past injuries. Keep yourself from being depressed Kristin, it'll throw off your chances of actually getting any sleep...
2007-02-27 17:22:27 · answer #3 · answered by LoverOfHer 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You may have to ask your doctor for some medication. I'm on Zyprexa and used to be an insomniac like you. Now I get good sleep. z_z
Be aware however if you do decide to ask for this sleep medicine that you have lots of fruits and veggies available because it definitely will increase your appetite for a while!
2007-02-27 17:04:03 · answer #4 · answered by leavemebe_11 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask your doctor about trying Rozerem. It is a safe and effective sleep aid. It helps you to reset your circadian rhythm (natural sleep-wake cycle).
Also cut out all caffeine.
Good luck and sweet dreams.
2007-02-27 16:49:16 · answer #5 · answered by swomedicineman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try taking melatonin. My bf has insomnia and it helps. You can find it at any drug/grosery store.
2007-02-27 16:42:46 · answer #6 · answered by Naru 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try chamomile tea, or eat oatmeal before u sleep. try also magnesium. it does help. do not eat before u sleep or eat any sweets.
2007-02-27 16:36:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋