Hi and welcome to PC, elizuk!

No, you aren't alone.

Even if the breathting exercises your boyfriend has tried with you haven't worked, three may be others that will, particularly if you do them alone, in a quiet setting. Shortly before bedtime or at bedtime are good for sleep, and an additional time or two a day will be even more helpful to keep you calmer all day so that it doesn't build up to the overload level. Here's a sight to try a guided imagery called Secret Garden; the guide is British and the exercise is very relaxing. The 20 minutes seem like 5 mins: www.meditainment.com. Also, I have ordered from this next site, after trying several of my psychologist's tapes: www.wholeperson.com. One relaxation exercise on one of the CD's is called "Clear The Deck" and is really helpful for what you describe--clearing your mind of the things that keep you from sleep or from focusing on what's at hand.

I hope this helps. I helps me. I do one after work sometimes and often at bedime. Sometimes I just do one for fun, because they are so enjoyable!

Keep posting and you'll get lots of good feedback!

Good to have you here!