[Trippin2.0]

I know, but Idk how...
Been doing some introspection and I believe my inabilty to relax is the root of my insomnia...
I remember being 9 and sleeping with 1 eye open, scared my brother would come into my room. I read that abuse sufferers find it hard to relax, and I honestly am always tense in the shoulders. I can only relax them when I concentrate on relaxing and have insomnia for as long as I remember. Thats why I believe it to be the cause... Any thoughts? Does it make sense?

[moremi]

Yes it makes total sense to me. I have to tell each muscle to relax when I lay down at night. Never knew it was from the abuse but I have been this way since childhood as well.

[faerie_moon_x]

I have also read that abuse sufferes have difficulty relaxing. It's like you're always prepaired to flight or fight, I guess.

I have trouble relaxing too, but I don't know why. I tend to clench my jaw and give myself headaches if I'm not careful. I'm always on edge and it's hard for me to just be calm. I can sleep even though I can't relax, but I don't rest. The thing that keeps me awake is racing thoughts.

[Trippin2.0]

Any ideas on how to learn to relax? I wont be able to afford any type of assisstance for another few months, was thinking of eventually working yoga into my budget, but I suck at meditation, am I stuck until I can afford yoga? Will yoga teach me to relax? My body aches from the tension...

I so wish I could give you the answer. But for me it's a mindset, i keep reminding myself that 'there is nothing anyone can do to me'. it's like a mantra. I think, ' what are they going to do, beat me up?' but i can think that cuz i'm pretty well built and can handle myself in a fight. so i think these things over and over and it helps calm me down and remind me that everything is ok and that i don't need to stress over everything.

i don't need to stress cuz theres nothing anyone can do to me...

does that make sense?

but i still stress anyways but it helps

[Trippin2.0]

Makes perfect sense dan, but in my case I'm tense 24/7. It has nothing to do with stress, or train of thought. My shoulders literally cannot relax without my concentrating on it, they automatically tense right up again as soon as my trainof thought changes. I've tested them... Like take right now for example; I'm chilling under a blankie, movie/series night... Tense as hell. Cos I dont have time to concentrate on my shoulders Guess I now know why I have neck problems too.

I know my anti psychotic really really helped with tense muscles... if that helps

[Trippin2.0]

Maybe I should get OTC muscle relaxants and skip that whole forking out money bit...

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

Maybe I should get OTC muscle relaxants and skip that whole forking out money bit...

I have to be nosy now.... are you on any meds?

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

Any ideas on how to learn to relax? I wont be able to afford any type of assisstance for another few months, was thinking of eventually working yoga into my budget, but I suck at meditation, am I stuck until I can afford yoga? Will yoga teach me to relax? My body aches from the tension...

Yoga is relaxing. I'm terrible at it. But, you don't need to go to a school if you can't afford it. There's always DVDs and YouTube. Also Tai Chi is relaxing. I used to belong tot he Taoist Tai Chi society, it's not only relaxing but good exercise and theraputic.

[Trippin2.0]

Originally Posted by landskaperdan

I have to be nosy now.... are you on any meds?

Lol, Nosy is quite fine by me. Quit my meds cold turkey October 14th... Was on risperdal for almost 2yrs, and it didnt help the tension a bit.

[Trippin2.0]

Originally Posted by dark_heart_x

Yoga is relaxing. I'm terrible at it. But, you don't need to go to a school if you can't afford it. There's always DVDs and YouTube. Also Tai Chi is relaxing. I used to belong tot he Taoist Tai Chi society, it's not only relaxing but good exercise and theraputic.

Dvd's... I should look into those, forget they exist sometimes, everythings on the hard drive thanks for the reminder and the tai chi tip.

so you are doing o.k. at least without them? AWESOME! I would cycle like crazy without them. You don't? Or you manage it? I'm really curious now!

[Trippin2.0]

Originally Posted by landskaperdan

so you are doing o.k. at least without them? AWESOME! I would cycle like crazy without them. You don't? Or you manage it? I'm really curious now!

My cycles were crazier ON meds! Lmao, still cycle, still have episodes, but I deal

No wonder you seem like such a strong person.. you are :0

it's my lack of dealing that brought me to my pdoc in the first place. I don't envy your situation but I do envy your strength in it!

yoga is very relaxing, it's moving meditation. I was the same Trippin, could never relax, always tense muscles. The hard part is just getting started, but if you start using meditation or yoga after a while you will find that it carries on into your daily life not just when you are doing it, that's where the real benefits come in.

If you practice some mindfulness by sitting or lying in a comfortable position in a quiet place and just really pay attention to your breath, but not forcing it or manipulating it in any way, just tune everything else out, when you notice your mind wandering, just bring it back to your breath. That's an easy one to practice that doesn't take too much time, and it really helps to bring your attention to now, and only now, it is relaxing.

[xxxispillcoffeexxx]

I have PTSD and Bipolar one and every little noise makes me jump out of my skin, I feel worse than a Vietnam veteran. People think it's funny and like to take advantage of it. When I'm manic there is no calming me down. Everything races at 300mph. I've been told to try counting your breaths but I usually don't have the attention span. I'm really suffering from anxiety and anger outbursts, if anyone has any ideas please help me.

[faerie_moon_x]

I used to do a lot of meditation. I was very good at it both guided and on my own. I used to be able to guide others, too... I could meditate away pain and headaches, bring myself back to stable. But my racing thoughts have become so intense that I can't concentrate at all anymore. It's like trying to meditate while people are screaming at you. I just can't do it. I try all the time, and it's very frustrating.

Aww Dark Heart, I totally get that. When your head is racing soo bad meditation seems next to impossible. The thing I heard and I really do believe is that meditation is a practice. Even if you can't sustain it for more than 30 seconds at a time you are still practicing it and will still receive benefits from that 30 seconds.

I know I have been in yoga class and hypo and it was very hard. now if I get really manic, I don't know how I'll manage that one, hasn't happened yet tho.. knock on wood.

[faerie_moon_x]

Thanks, Anika, I do keep trying. It's been about five years since I stopped being able to meditate the way I used to.

[~Christina]

Trippin,

You know I cant sleep for s*** either. Having Fibromyalgia my body is overflowing with the " fight or flight" I'm always tense .. I do Mediation sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. I only advice I can offer is try and focus on muscle groups and get some relief that way .. thats what I have been told, I tried it got lukewarm results..

Everyone had great ideas . I hope somehow you get some relief!

[Confusedinomicon]

Seeing an acupuncturist or chiropractor or even a massage therapist could help loosen your muscles and relieve the tension. Then it may be easier to get into Yoga etc.

Pilates is an aerobic exercise that has a lot of focus in breathing. There are also guided muscle relaxation techniques.

Lots of options!

[bluemountains]

I have never thought about being an abuse sufferer and not being able to sleep. I don't sleep and I suffered abuse. I am tense at times, but my problem is that my mind can't stop racing, at least when hypomanic. No advice here, except for drugs, and it is so great that you have been successful in giving them up!

[hamster-bamster]

The answer to this is actually quite simple but unfortunately most of you will not be able to afford it.

Stop sitting.

I used to have terrible pain in the top portion of my back, below the shoulder. Frequent piercing pain, on one side.

Since I got a standing desk at work (something that is trendy in the Bay Area of California), I very rarely experience pain. I also stand in public transit - 15 minutes one way, but it makes a difference. I lay down at home to use the computer. I pace the kitchen floor when I eat breakfast.

I do not yet have the stamina to stand at my desk all day long, so I sit for short periods on a tall chair using a foot rest. The goal is to sit for less than 3 hours a day - sitting for more shortens life-span by as much as 2 years. Exercise does not help those who sit for long periods of time. The goal is to diminish sitting.

I realize that outside of the Bay Area you probably cannot get a standing desk, but at least get on your tummy when you use PC!!! Do not sit in your chair!