Have you ever had a sleep study done? I think they look at more than just breathing issues when you sleep. I know when I had my sleep study done (which was for breathing issues) I had to answer lots of other neurological questions regarding movement, sleep walking, .. ect.

What about a general practitioner if you use mds - around here, most are super willing to hand out prescriptions for sleeping drugs from what I hear? When I get really bad insomnia - I use pot which puts me to sleep and does not involve the permission of an md.

I had the same thought as stopdog-ask your GP.

Maybe the psychiatrist could try an antidepressant and trazadone or one or the other. ADs somtimes help sleep and trazadone is an antidepressant that is used for sleep in small doses. Gabapentin or Amtryptline. Or do you already take an AD? Maybe a medication you are taking is aggravating the insomnia.

But I think your Dr. is dangerous in the way he practices. Getting that little sleep damages your body and makes depression and anxiety worse. You're body slowly breaks down. I agree he is minimizing your situation and that's not good.

If you can't see any other doctor, log your sleep times for a few weeks. Take it back to the doctor. If he refuses to help you, file a complaint against him, with his supervisor or however that works where you are. Lack of sleep is a true medical problem and like i said, can cause your body to slowly break down as that is when your brain produces certain hormones (eg growth hormone for muscle repair). It's a horrible state to be in. It also can put you in an anxiety spiral that can be impossible to climb out of.

Yes, some won't prescribe them because they think some are addictive (I personally don't see them any more addictive than an antidepressant). However, I've gotten dependent on them for sleep, but not addicted. It doesn't matter which ones whether they were scheduled or not. They are not good at all for long term. But going 2-3 hours every night is likely worse for anyone than taking a potential addictive pill.

Epsom salt baths before bed can help a lot (infuses magnesium directly in your body). A strong magnesium supplement. Melatonin helps for some. You can also do CBT for yourself. Sleep hygeine rules (google). Youtube deep sleep recordings, etc.