[bluzman]

My sleep deprivation has escelated at its peak once more.......so physically exhausted but no relief either...... reverted back to my sleepers and relaxants (but to no avail at this critical stage)..as well as natural remedies( which i wont mention as not to slander the products) ......My head feels like a mushed up watermelon......and like a video camera (malfunctioned) stuck on fast forward and rewind buttons working only.Its like watching a horror movie with no story line to put it an illustrative way. My ocd thoughts have dropped and my depression has picked up(that is in its endogenous form) and my hostility has also made its diabolic appearance which seldomly happens to me these days after extensive self therapy... can any one relate to this???? I welcome any support ,ideas and theories as well as ones personal agony with this parallel or similar situation. I really cant get a grip of it and I feel like im about to self destruct.....been through it before but it seems to creep up on me with a higher increment of intensity every time I have a relapse ........Thank you to all who read this...and good health to all!!!!!

[englishteacher]

bluzman - I too suffer from sleep issues. I don't have it as bad as you. I can sleep, but I wake up in the middle of the night (after about 5 hours) and can't go back to sleep, so I don't get enough. All the moodiness and problems with mental functioning can be explained by sleep deprivation and depression. I'm sorry that you are suffering.

I had a therapist who taught me the following relaxation technique, which I find helpful: Lay down flat on your back. Breathe deep and slow and think about only your toes. Now starting with your toes - flex your toes and then relax them - do this several times until your toes are relaxed..then work your way up to your feet/ankles. You have to concentrate only on the body part that you are focusing on. Work your way up the body one muscle at a time. By the time you get to the top of your body, you should be really relaxed - for me, asleep...

The therapist had this on tape and I listened to the directions while I lay there. It really helped. I'm sure there are tapes out there...

Wishing you sweet dreams and a nice long relaxing nap.

[bluzman]

Englishteacher-Thanx for your time and reply in regards to my recent post, I value your input and techniques in providing some relief for sleep deprivation, and I shall endevour to try this approach you suggested and keepin an open and persiiting mind that it will work. Many years ago during my quest to find the answer to my issues, I delved into into zen buddhism and took classes for the art of meditation which was an immense help to me wholistically as well and I took this path on for many of my issues surrounding mental health issues....But unfortunately there seems to be somethin else goin on in my psyche lately which has put me in a slump again and i cant seem to emancipate myself from it.....However thankyou once again for your valuable feedback and I will let you know what eventuates for my new quest (thanx to your approach)to find some relief in easing my sleep disorder...Take care and good health to you also...your response has enlightened me also....

[jen29]

Hi there, I am sorry to hear about your sleep issues. I too have severe sleep issues at this time. It has been at least 5 weeks since i have gotten more than 2 hours of sleep a night. Sometimes I sleep an hour more and sometimes i don't sleep at all. I talk to my dad and step-mom about it and my step-mom seems to think I sleep all day. Hmmmm....well i wish that were the case. i just spend most of my time in there because it is so crowded in a 2 bedroom apartment with 3 people and a dog.
Anyways, I talked with my pdoc again, and he too is frusterated. I have been refered to a sleep specialist that i am going to go to on thursday. I am pretty nervous because they will probably just say it's all in my head. That is my biggest fear when it comes to problems, people will just say "it's all in your head".
I too have become depressed again. I have been doing very well unti about 4 weeks into the sleep deprivation. I have even been having hallucinations sometimes. I know that taking extra pills doesn't work for me because i get the same amount of sleep and when i wake up i have severe double vision or am hung over. My pdoc has tried everything for me and it's all so frusterating.
I can totally sympathize with you and if you want to talk about what is going on please feel free to PM me anytime. I will get back to you ASAP.
Take care of yourself and hugs,
Jen