[lilypup]

I'm not getting quality rest. I wake up at 1 and 4 and have trouble getting back to sleep. Worst of all, when I wake up, I ruminate over all my past poor manic behavior. I also review all of the problems I have. This is pretty stupid, as I have a few problems but nothing major or terrible.

I try to rest quietly in the day, but my mind jumps around and I start thinking on everything again. I've been taking a Klonopin (.5) during the day to calm me down.

I saw my pdoc and she said to try extended release melatonin. I don't really want to take a sleeping pill, as it would be one more med.

She recently increased my Wellbutrin and Rexulti. This kicked me out of my chemical depression. Which is good. But now I feel sort of situationally depressed. I just can't win.

My therapist said to put a sign by my bed that said something like "You are okay, you are loved. Don't beat yourself up." That thought does comfort me a little.

Does this never end?

[bioChE]

The melatonin idea is a solid one. It may help you get more rest, and that could alleviate the distraction during the day. Melatonin isn't a sleeping pill, it's naturally produced by the body anyway, all it is is a supplement. It's really mild, with basically zero side effects.

[liveforsummer]

I'll listen to music or if that fails I will take an immovane.

[wiretwister]

Originally Posted by lilypup

I'm not getting quality rest
Does this never end?

If it does and you find an answer pease tell me ... I have battled this for years … Tigger.

[Nammu]

The only thing that helped me with racing thoughts was meds, APs.

[xRavenx]

Ruminating/racing thoughts really debilitate me at times. I try to hold onto the thought that some days are better than others. Of course, there are plenty of times that these thoughts go out the window when the ruminating thoughts are so intense and race very fast. Sometimes DBT skills can help. High dose Seroquel helped for a while, but I tapered down a little bit due to some side effects. I might need to go back up 600 mg or higher in the future though, since sometimes things are bad enough where the benefits outweigh the side effects. I wish I had better input, but I really hope you feel better and realize how hard this can be, since I've always struggled with these kinds of issues and still do.

[Espurr1989]

Worst of all, when I wake up, I ruminate over all my past poor manic behavior.

Sounds like you might be in a hypomanic state... I've learned when your brain patterns are the same as past manic states, you are more susceptible to the emotions you felt during those previous states. That might be why those past behaviors keep popping up in your face, even while you're trying to sleep. The things you mentioned trying are the many of the same things I would suggest.

Hmm...my only other go to thing is find a creative outlet that lets you expend that extra psychic energy in a safe, quiet, and relatively non-stimulating way. Examples of this that work for me are adult coloring books, knitting, rubber band bracelets, and watching YouTube videos created by personalities that make me feel safe and calm. Mine are in the form of ASMR videos and Nintendo Let's Plays. I've fallen asleep to AbdallahSmash026's LPs more times than I can count haha.

Most importantly, imo, stick with the 'Don't Beat Yourself Up' mantra. Yeah, I truly believe we all must take responsibility for our actions, no matter what kind of mental state we're in. But we gotta cut ourselves some slack too. Racing thoughts are a symptom. It's something that's happening to you, not something you're doing wrong. If you made the best decisions for yourself and the people around you that you could based on the information you had at the time, then you did all that you could and there's not much point in judging yourself for something in the past. Learn what you can from your experiences, but it's like they say, gently push the thoughts away, and try to think about something more comforting...something that's in the present moment if that's possible to do without being too painful.

Hope this makes sense. My thoughts tend to get a little disorganized and rambly. But guess what? Here, that is perfectly fine!

[MissCathryn]

I also take Rexulti. It has been a lifesaver, but I occasionally get racing thoughts. It ramps me up, and makes me very uncomfortable. I rarely ever had these, but now they seem more frequent.

I take a xanax and the BIGGEST thing you can do is try to refocus. I will put on a fave show of mine, and try really hard to get into it and keep my mind off the thoughts. It is hard at first, but I promise it gets easier.

Good luck!!!!!

How is the Rexulti working for you?? It has been a miracle drug for me.

God bless
Cathryn

[UpDownAround]

Not what you want to hear, but one more voice joining the chorus. Medication stops the racing thoughts. Without medication, time stops them because I get depressed more than hypomanic.

[Fuzzybear]

Meds, I can only take benzos now

Sorry not a useful reply

I journal. A lot. I was manic during a hospitalization and in the week i was there i filled up an entire notebook. Actually have done that a few times in hospitals...
Also music and walking or running.

[Cocosurviving]

Personally when I get racing thoughts I have to act fast because it gets worse from there. I take a sleep aid. I have Ambien on hand. I've had Haldol before and it really helps. I know some ppl are not into meds. If that works for them that's good. From experience I know what trying to wait it out leads to for me. Good luck

[scatterbrained04]

Meds help. This might sound silly, but when my thoughts are all over the place, sometimes I'll do puzzles. Jigsaw, sudoku, etc. Makes me have to sit and focus on one thing and think hard about it.

[Shazerac]

Just a thought, but when you wake up with racing thoughts have you tried getting up and writing them down? Doesn't have to be grammatical correct, just a stream on conciousness blast. Nobody need to see it but you.

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by Shazerac

Just a thought, but when you wake up with racing thoughts have you tried getting up and writing them down? Doesn't have to be grammatical correct, just a stream on conciousness blast. Nobody need to see it but you.

I cannot even talk fast enough to keep up. I skip words and sentences without realizing it. Same thing happens when I write (key into computer) except I do realize it. If I go back and correct it I will be even further behind.

[Gabyunbound]

I've gotten racing thoughts when hypo/manic, eyes wide open, talking so fast others can't keep up, and getting annoyed and irritable that they can't. Seroquel has helped in the past.

However, you mentioned that this might be situational, so maybe adding such a strong med might not be for you. I do think that if you were to start sleeping better, maybe your racing thoughts during the day would get better. Do you feel really tired during the day because you haven't slept well? I ask because maybe your adrenaline is going into high gear because you're so tired and yet have to get things done.

I also think Melatonin is a good idea. I've heard it doesn't have side effects and can help with sleep. If the racing thoughts are, in part, about lack of sleep, this might really help.