I haven't really been sleeping properly since I got out of hospital in August. It's causing some issues with my dad as he seems to think I'm doing it on purpose and as a result will end up back in hospital by January (his words). I honestly hate not sleeping. I wish I could just hit the pillow and switch off but it doesn't happen. I'm feeling tired all the time but my mind always seems to be on overdrive making it impossible to sleep.

A few weeks ago I went to my GP who very reluctantly gave me some sleeping tablets. I've been going back each week for more but they are now giving me a lower dose so I don't become dependant on them. If I take them (at the higher dose) I sleep amazingly well. Without them I hardly sleep at all.

I've tried going to bed at the same time, getting up at the same time, no naps during the day, I've dramatically reduced the amount of screentime at bedtime, I get out of bed every so often for a bit before trying to sleep again. No matter what I do as soon as I lie down and try to sleep I'm suddenly wide awake.

I just don't know what else I can do. I don't think I can handle this lack of sleep much longer.

[Linus VanPelt]

I know what you mean. I get two or three non-consecutive hours of sleep a night. Most of it is because of racing thoughts and also because I hear voices whispering around me although I can't quite make out what they're saying. I thought it was the tv because my wife has it on all night while she sleeps. But, then, she got a wireless headset and I was still hearing the voices. So, my psych put me on a low dose anti-schizophrenia med and, on nights my mind won't shut off and keeps showing me horrible things, I take a Xanax to relax. Just the anti-schizo Med helps me sleep (sometimes too much). I was on a number of different sleep meds at different times both OTC and prescription. Nothing worked for me. Some actually made me more awake.
So, talk to your doc and see if there's an underlying issue that might be causing the sleep loss. Maybe you just need a med that has a different approach. Also limit your caffeine intake. As little as possible throughout the day and nothing but water after 4pm. And only use your bedroom for sleeping. No tv and, if you can't sleep, leave your bed and go somewhere and read something boring.

[Fuzzybear]

[EnglishDave]

Hi Hiddensecret,

It seems that your underlying problem is that you have never learned to relax your mind and body and simply 'let go'.

There are techniques out there which teach people how to relax and achieve better sleep. Here is one from the Sleep Foundation:

https://sleepfoundation.org/insomnia...ation-exercise

There are many more. If you find it useful, perhaps Meditation would be of greater benefit in the long term for strengthening your mind and getting you into good sleep habits.

Rest well,

Dave.

You are doing the right things. Try to avoid doing anything energetic before bedtime. If you are a gamer try cutting back on that. Leave your phone in another room at night.

My SAD lamp is really improving my sleep and rythym

[Skeezyks]

hiddensecret