[franklds01]

Hey all! I think I’m having a mixed episode/hypomanic episode conglomerate thingy. My big problem right now is sleep…I’m not getting any but am not manic enough to not be tired. I am so exhausted and can barely keep my eyes open during the day. But as soon as my head hits the pillow, my brain decides it’s time to start doing 200mph. It’s the whole flight of ideas thingy.

I want to sleep but can’t because I keep thinking about how I should start a dessert catering company or how I should travel to Dubrovnik and how I should take a class on drawing or photoshop on Udemy and how I should get my COMPTIA A+ certification, and so on and so forth. My brain does that for hours. I can’t focus during the day because of it and more importantly I can’t sleep at night because of it.

Any tips on how to get my brain to shut up? I really don’t want to take any sleeping medications as I have to be up early every day and noticed that with sleeping meds I tend to be sedated long enough to sleep through my alarm, so I’m looking for ways to calm myself down without meds.

And for reference, I’m on 900mg of Trileptal and 80mg of Strattera.

[Carmina]

Sleep hygiene obviously but I guess you are trying that.

Melatonin helps me get to sleep and doesn't have a hangover effect as it's not so much a sedative as the hormone your body should be producing normally to activate sleep but isn't for some of us. I still have some disrupted nights but I was like you, all brain cells blaring, now at least I get some.

If I need a full night I take promethazine occasionally (usually limit it to weekends) - that does have a hangover but not as bad, or as addictive, as a proper sleeping pill (it's just a strong antihistamine)

I also find listening to very quiet (I mean almost inaudible) ambient music overnight helps - can't stand 'therapy' recordings and mindfulness stuff but just quiet music - Oophoi is my favourite but also like a lot of Yoga meditation music.

frank, have you ever tried Melatonin to help you fall asleep? You can buy it over the counter. That or Tylenol-PM or Advil-PM. Or, you can try using herbal teas. Chamomile tea, Lemon balm tea, and Valerian Root tea are well known bed-time teas. I buy loose teas from my local tea store and use them when I can't sleep.

Unlike the side effects from Melatonin, bed-time teas have no side effects and are the safest sleep aid, I think.

what awesome suggestions...

Apologies if this isn't helpful (the intentions here) I have sleep apnea, I appreciate the pain/desperation of wanting to sleep, but it then not working out. Bizarrely enough, if I'm having a real ****** night, it's almost better to accept sleep isn't happening that night n merely keeping myself occupied. I guess what I'm saying must sound quite silly, but, acceptance (and occasional liquor) helps, journaling, coming on here....wishing you all the best

[JosephRico.]

Sleep hygiene??

[Carmina]

Originally Posted by JosephRico.

Sleep hygiene??

Just means preparing yourself, your environment and routines to promote rest and sleep:

https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/insomnia...imeritual.aspx

http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/...vercoming/tips