[justfloating]

I did not sleep last night. I have no idea why, because I didn't sleep well the night before and I forced myself not to nap all day so I could get a good night's sleep last night. But I spent half the night lying awake staring at the ceiling, and the other half reading/listening to music because the number one thing I can't handle is having all that time just to THINK. I get so stressed out by my thoughts that sometimes it takes days for me to calm down. I've been walking around like a zombie all day. I want to burst into tears. I want to scream. I want to be held. I want the whole world to go away.

I don't know what I want but I'm exhausted and the depression's taking advantage of that. My whole body aches, food tastes awful, I can't concentrate on anything, not even journalling, which sucks because normally that'd help. I'm afraid to go to bed tonight. What if I have to lie there with myself again tonight? I don't think I can take another night of that. I just want silence in my head. I just want, for once, to be able to turn off my thoughts long enough to get some rest! I'm trying so hard to beat my depression, but when it gets like this I simply don't have the energy.

[gimmeice]

(((((((((((((((( justfloating ))))))))))))))))))))))))

I am sorry that you are having a hard time. Have you tried any relaxation techniques before bed? When I have a hard time sleeping I soak in a hot bath until I start to feel drowsy and then I go to bed, sometimes fresh sheets help me too. I hope you get some rest soon everything seems worse when you are not sleeping.

[debbie_tabor]

Being tired is horrible, on top of everything else.

Aside from my wonderful sleeping pills (trazadone), I try doing body scans. Concentrate on feet for 3 breaths, calves for 3 breaths, knees etc etc. One minute I can't see how I'm going to sleep, and the next I'm getting dozy. It does stop me thinking too much. If it doesn't work after a couple of times through I would reach for the pills.

[debbie_tabor]

I'm reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. A meditation guru tells her to smile while she meditates, and to go as far as smiling with her liver.... I tried smiling last night as I was going to sleep, with my mouth, my eyes, and my liver. I realised usually I have a big huge worried frown on my face, and smiling did change something. The whole concept made me smile too!

[Fuzzybear]

(((((((((((((((((( justfloating )))))))))))))))))))

[Berries]

((((((((((((((((JUSTFLOATING))))))))))))))))

I can totally relate. If I don't litteraly knock myself out with pills, I can't sleep and I can't stand just lying there THINKING. I have intrusive thoughts then I start obsessing & ruminating about those thoughts looping for hours and hours.

Deep Breathing helps as well as the above advice.

Hang in there and Good Luck tonight!!!

[kebsfroggy]

Originally Posted by justfloating

I did not sleep last night. I have no idea why, because I didn't sleep well the night before and I forced myself not to nap all day so I could get a good night's sleep last night. But I spent half the night lying awake staring at the ceiling, and the other half reading/listening to music because the number one thing I can't handle is having all that time just to THINK. I get so stressed out by my thoughts that sometimes it takes days for me to calm down. I've been walking around like a zombie all day. I want to burst into tears. I want to scream. I want to be held. I want the whole world to go away.

Oh, ((( Justfloating ))), I understand stand completely. I thought I had found a cure with a change in some of my meds. Ha, I was just lulled into believing I had made progress.

If lucky I get 2 hours sleep. Of course that's assuming I go to sleep. Then I become aware that I'm staring at the ceiling with thoughts running through my head so fast I can't keep up.

I really do sympathize with you. I wish I had the answer.



kebs

[Miracle1986]

(((Rebecca)))

[yutzman]

I'm not just one to put parentheses around your name and say SORRY...I don't sleep either,and can't even listen to music or read because of my anxiety problems. I don't know how I'm even writing this...If it were not for you, justfloating, I wouldn't be...
Your second paragraph seems like I wrote it...Thats how I feel..your not so alone...friend....no parentheses.....

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by kebsfroggy

Oh, ((( Justfloating ))), I understand stand completely. I thought I had found a cure with a change in some of my meds. Ha, I was just lulled into believing I had made progress.

If lucky I get 2 hours sleep. Of course that's assuming I go to sleep. Then I become aware that I'm staring at the ceiling with thoughts running through my head so fast I can't keep up.

I really do sympathize with you. I wish I had the answer.



kebs

[bearchic34]

(((JF))) I hear ya about turning off your thoughts. I sure hope u get some much needed rest.

Thats why I don't sleep without my Ambien. Unfort I am out of them for 3 more days....so looks like no sleep for a while. I hope that the Tylenol PM's help. ~fingers crossed~

[justfloating]

guess who just woke up for no reason after only 3 hours' sleep. I even took some gravol before bed because it knocks me out. I can't get back to sleep. I can't just lie there either. Then I'd have to think...

I want sleep. I want to be unconscious. I want to get up in the mornings and not feel like I'm made of lead and have to drag myself through another day.

[Berries]

((((((((((((((justfloating))))))))))))))

I'm sorry to hear that.

Have you tried relaxation tapes?

[Rohag]

My sleep situation is also beyond non-medicinal remedy. Nevertheless, when the doctors were helping me with “sleep hygiene,” a couple methods proved slightly better than others – in my case, anyway:

Paradoxical Intention: When you can't sleep, try to stay awake.

Distraction: Get your mind off of the whole subject of sleep/wakefulness. Find something (music, reading, meditating, journaling, etc.) that gets you thinking about anything else other than your being awake or wanting to fall asleep.

May you have pleasant dreams (hopefully during nighttime hours)

[turquoisesea]

((((((((((((((((((((((justfloating))))))))))))))))))

I know what you mean - so often when I need sleep most I just can't get it. People here have good ideas though.

The only thing I'd add is pay attention to how much light is around you in the hours before you go to bed. I have some bright lights in here, and some dimmer ones, if I turn the bright ones off WELL in advance of me going to bed it really helps a lot.

[Berries]

(((((((((((justfloating)))))))))))

How'd it go last night?

In the past i've used Benedryl to get to sleep. It usually works but i don't stay asleep for more than 4 hours. But then i just take another dose and get another 1 to 2 hours.