[The_Ozzman]

As of late, I haven't been able to sleep well. I don't know if it's because of this lingering cold, my being neurotic or what. What are some tips to help you get more sleep?

I think this lack of sleep is contributing to my depressive bouts.

[January]

Lack of sleep certainly can contribute to the worsening of depression. It is also a symptom of depression itself.

Ask yourself if you were sleeping well before your cold. If you weren't sleeping well then, or if there has been a drastic change, please call your psych and tell him/her about it.

I hope you feel better soon and don't be hesistant about asking questions.

January

[sqrlb8]

I've found some of the herbal teas available for relaxation and sleep to be surprisingly effective in knocking myself out when needed. Kava and Sleepy time together put me out pretty reliably with no hangover in the morning. Also effective is valerian root tea or capsules. Those are all over the counter ideas that my body handles better than any of the synthetic rx sleep aids.

Paying attention to your sleep is one of the single most important factors in living well with any disorder, and depression especially so. Good luck.

[inkblot]

I just turn on my computer and attempt to log online. Works every time! LOL

[kimmydawn]

ozzman, i'm glad to see you posting again. yes, sleep deprevation can interfere with and add to depression. depression can cause it and make it worse...a continuous cycle

have you been to dr for depression? it may help to go on an antidepressant for a short time? i don't know your views on meds, but many here can vouch for AD's. also, are you in active counceling? i know that your school councellor recommended PC. do you see him/her regularly?

i wish you well. think about seeing dr for help with depression/anxiety/sleep disturbance. it can really throw a body out of whack quickly.

gl!

[Wants2Fly]

I, too, have trouble with sleeping. Was up to 4:30 a.m. -- and made myself get up between 8:30 and 9. Or maybe that was the workmen outside who "made" me get up.

Comment @ before/after cold also relevant.

Tea is good suggestion. I've posted my sleep techniques in the past, and I'm pressed for time right now. Is there something in the archives for Ozzman on this anyone?

[The_Ozzman]

I see my counselor once a week on Thursday afternoons

I went to the doctor on Wednesday about my being constantly lethargic. She gave me a three week sample of Lexapro, though I'm apprehensive about using it. My dad is a doctor and he said it would be fine if I wanted to use it. I'm still debating it though. My counselor said it's a personal choice to make. The reason I am apprehensive is because people have told me it can make you an insomniac. For example, if you go to bed at midnight, you wake up at 4 AM and can't get back to sleep. You go to bed at 5 PM and wake up at 8 AM the next morning, etc...

Do they sell the velerian root capsules at normal pharmacies?

Also, I seemed to be sleeping well before the cold and I know colds can linger because I get at least 4 of them a year. I honestly don't know...

[Mahali]

Rootman,

I agree that medication is a personal choice. But you have two professionals saying that maybe it is a good idea ....one is your dad ...maybe it would not hurt to try. Just my opinion.

I would ask Dr. or your dad about the Herbal teas. Just to be safe. A little paranoia goes a long way for us here.

I will see if I can find you the sleep archives if somebody does not beat me to it.

Take care.

[The_Ozzman]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Rootman,

I agree that medication is a personal choice. But you have two professionals saying that maybe it is a good idea ....one is your dad ...maybe it would not hurt to try. Just my opinion.

I would ask Dr. or your dad about the Herbal teas. Just to be safe. A little paranoia goes a long way for us here.

I will see if I can find you the sleep archives if somebody does not beat me to it.

Take care.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Both my counselor and my Dad are doctors. I'll call my Dad this weekend and ask him. My counselor gave me some evaluative tests and it says I'm not really depressed, but it sure as hell feels like I am. Anyway, I'll keep you all posted.

[Mahali]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>

I am sorry you are having trouble sleeping. I do, too. For example, I only got about 4 hours sleep last night.

Here are some things I've used --

melatonin -- for a while, put me soundly to sleep at first, but then I'd wake up jittery

warm milk, or warm milk with honey -- I loved this! Didn't always put me to sleep but tasted great. Now I'm lactose intolerant.

l-trytophane -- I abused this natural substance and wound up in treatment . . . something illegal drugs and booze never did. However, it was because a large dose irritated my colitis and had me doubled over with pain, not bec. it put me to sleep. In fact, bec. of the pain, it was just the opposite.

chamomile -- my herb of choice.

Other hints are to always go to bed and wake up at the same time, use the bed only for sleep, not reading, watching TV, talking on the phone, etc., so the mind associates "bed" only with "sleep."

Exercise in the evening -- that used to work great for me but I haven't been exercising. If I ever start again, it is a great way to get myself tuckered out to sleep.

I also use a white noise machine. The sound of waves pulls down into a deep sleep - - I have even slept through an alarm for as long as 20 minutes with the waves going . . .

Hope you find aids that help you . .

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I hope I did this right. This is Wants2fly's post she mentioned I believe. If I made a mistake I apologize now.

Hope it helps.

place

[The_Ozzman]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>

I am sorry you are having trouble sleeping. I do, too. For example, I only got about 4 hours sleep last night.

Here are some things I've used --

melatonin -- for a while, put me soundly to sleep at first, but then I'd wake up jittery

warm milk, or warm milk with honey -- I loved this! Didn't always put me to sleep but tasted great. Now I'm lactose intolerant.

l-trytophane -- I abused this natural substance and wound up in treatment . . . something illegal drugs and booze never did. However, it was because a large dose irritated my colitis and had me doubled over with pain, not bec. it put me to sleep. In fact, bec. of the pain, it was just the opposite.

chamomile -- my herb of choice.

Other hints are to always go to bed and wake up at the same time, use the bed only for sleep, not reading, watching TV, talking on the phone, etc., so the mind associates "bed" only with "sleep."

Exercise in the evening -- that used to work great for me but I haven't been exercising. If I ever start again, it is a great way to get myself tuckered out to sleep.

I also use a white noise machine. The sound of waves pulls down into a deep sleep - - I have even slept through an alarm for as long as 20 minutes with the waves going . . .

Hope you find aids that help you . .

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I hope I did this right. This is Wants2fly's post she mentioned I believe. If I made a mistake I apologize now.

Hope it helps.

place

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I heard exercising during the day is better for your sleeping, but maybe I should start exercising at night again...That used to always make me tired enough to sleep all the way through the night.

I've tried getting up and going to bed at the same time every day. I don't use my bed for reading or anything else. At home, I don't have problems sleeping.

[Mahali]

It sounds like you are doing "all the right things" to get a good nights sleep. I am sorry these are not working. I would call your dad since he is a professional and seek his advice.

Sorry I could not be of more help. I hope you get this resolved ASAP. I know how hard it is to not get enough sleep especially when you are feeling poorly.

Take care.

place

[gardenergirl]

I agree with the tips that place quoted from wants2fly. The only caveat I have is that sometimes exercising too late at night can be stimulating. Also, I use "Sleepy Time" tea by Celestial Seasonings (I think). You can find it at most grocery stores. I make a double shot of it in a large mug and it really helps. Other tips: limit your caffeine intake, especially after 3 p.m. Also, check any other meds or over the counter stuff you might take for stimulating ingredients like pseudoephedrine. That's common in lots of cold medicines. No alcohol after 9:00 p.m. And try not to watch the clock if you are awake in bed. Listen to the messages you tell yourself about sleep and challenge them with objective facts to see if they are rigid or irrational i.e. "I'll NEVER get to sleep NOW!" or "Now I'm going to have a crappy day!" Messages like that can increase anxiety about sleep and make the problem worse.

Good luck. It sounds like you are on the right track.

gg

[Wants2Fly]

Thanks so much for looking up that post, Place.

I agree with the don't exercise too late suggestion. By "night," I meant after work, early evening. There was a time in my younger life when I so active, that I was outdoors with a large dog for about an hour after work, then went to the gym, did some yoga stretching and a little bit of weights, swam a half mile -- then ate supper around 8:30 - 9 p.m. Ah, it was great to be young and have "vigah" as the late JFK used to pronounce it.

Sleepytime is great -- has chamomile in it. I've just discovered a chamomile with lavender herb mix that has a lovely sweet smell.

Staying online too late or playing e-solitaire right up to bedtime also is overly stimulating for me. So of course, I do it all the time. I've really got to start the exercise thing again. Esp. something contemplative like yoga.

I love my white noise machine, too. During the time I was traveling, if I didn't want to keep a host awake, I put it on my bed, almost under my pillow. I've read that the sound of the waves is like the sound of the amniotic fluid around the fetus. Like I would remember, hahaha.

Good luck with this Ozzman. Keep us posted. If you find a cure, be sure to patent it right away and make a zillion bucks.