How Do I Sleep When I Can't Sleep?

So, I know sleep's really important to managing bp but whether it'd be hypomania or depression, I don't sleep much. It has nothing to do with a "lack of desire". I have PTSD but I don't just have flashbacks while I'm asleep; when it's not that, I can't stop having persistent nightmares. Then I wake up in a panic attack and can't go back to sleep for hours. Lately (this isn't an all the time thing), I've also been having hallucinations once the panic attack is under control. After that, the paranoia usually kicks in and it takes me a while to convince myself that I'm safe.

I can't sleep and it's killing me because I want to stabilize but I don't think I can like this. I'll be bringing this up with my T on Monday. What should I do? Is there a med that works or some kind of ritual I haven't tried (I've tried many different ones to no avail)?

Don't really have any advice, but sending lots of hugs

Sleep hygiene is super important so here yeah go.

No electronics 2 hours before bed

No TV

Take D vitamin

Work out everyday .... gym or just a fast pace walk , just not before bed , your body will be revved up

If you must read .. Grab the 27 lb book ,War and Peace ... it can
bore you right into sleeping.

Take a shower or bath

Soothing tea

Use essential oil to help relax you. I prefer vanilla and sandalwood. Do not use any citrus or what not that. Winds you up. Sleep is one of the worse trigger possible.

I hope you get some steady sleep soon.

Most of all go to bed at X time and get up the exact same time every single day.

Try to just stay horizontal for at least 4 hours . I sometimes drift off to sleep staring at my wall,

Hope sleep finds you soon

I'm so sorry, nothing worse than not being able to sleep...have you tried melatonin? I think it's a gentle sleep aid

Get a weighted blanket. Mine has been terrific!

I am sorry about your nightmares. Last year was a year when I talked to my therapist about a couple of minor traumas (I had buried my feelings about them) and discussed my attempt (I was in ICU for a while). I did have nightmares followed by panic attacks as soon as I woke for a while. I feel like it was something I had to go through to sort of "clear my subconscious" of emotional baggage.
I am sleeping well (6 hours a night, 8 hours about once a week) mostly because I am stable and taking my medications. I do many of the things Christina recommends:
-Go to sleep a 8:00 PM every night
-Read a book if I am not sleepy at 8:00 PM
-Walk every day
-No TV in my bedroom
Plus:
-Dinner is very light/just a snack (sometimes I skip dinner), cook more at breakfast and lunch (we have lunch between 1:00 - 3:00 PM)
-No caffeinated drinks after 3:00 PM
-300 mg gabapentin pill at 7:00 PM (this definitely helps me sleep better)
-Keep the bedroom very dark (no lights at all)

Good sleep hygiene is critical.
Even so, I go through periods of insomnia. I have c-PTSD and sleep anxiety. I have, over the past 6 months, had good results using temazepam when all else fails.

I hope you are enjoying sleep soon.


WC