Trouble sleeping

[lolfeg123]

Hi all

Due to my persistent insomnia + anxiety spikes, I started taking temazapam (benzodiazepine class drug); first with one dose and now two tablets just before I go to sleep. This has not been working for me. It takes me several hours to actually fall asleep, roughly around 7hrs of tossing and turning. I would go to bed at 10pm and literally fall asleep at 6am. My body clock seems to be set to fall asleep on this time. I've attempted forcing myself to wake up at 9am for 5days in a row now, in an attempt to reconfigure my body clock, but have only been receiving futile results.
My nighttime anxiety is getting really bad now given my multiple attempts of trying to wake up early, which i will now have to give up on. Basically, as soon as the lights switch off, with my eyes closed, my mind begins to wander obsessively, a lot of the time contributing to negative thoughts. I haven't fallen asleep within an hour for one whole year now. Does anyone share a similar experience or have any insightful tips?

cheers

[salvator here]

Honestly, tossing and turning for 7 hours is counterproductive imo. I think if you're not asleep whitin 1 hour, you should perhaps get up and just try to read something soothing with 1 light on to ease your mind. Maybe try some sleepy-time tea, as well. With that said, I'm guilty as charged as well, my mind tends to race at bedtime. I think we need to just say, the problems will still be there tomorrow and this worry isn't going to make them go away tonight. I read a lot about sleep and I've better accepted that its more about quality than quantity. I can get 8 hours and feel like a zombie corpse in brain fog city, or get 4-5 hours of deep sleep and feel quite refreshed. Try not to worry so much about sleep, because it can become the problem in itself. Insomnia is an ugly word, and even seeing those commercials adverting sleeping pills can trigger me into worry and panic about sleeping. I say "no" to TV before bed, although I know some say they fall asleep better with the TV on; I guess to each to their own.

I'd be cautious about long-term usage of benzodiazepines, over time they interfere with sleep quality and once the body is dependent on them, it snowballs into a whole new set of problems. I would much rather try chamomile tea, or a benadryl if needed.

Good luck :)

[Dahila]

Salvator is right. BTW how long are you dealing with insomnia?
I was 5 when it started and today I am over 60 and still have it:)) you learn how to live with it, believe me. I am on meds but does not matter , even if I go a 3 am to sleep I still put my alarm clock at 7 am, It is helping to go to sleep on top of meds.

[Ponder]

The transition from lights on - to off, is a major problem for modern society. It's not just you. Pills are a common aid which whilst claimed to give some results, the bliss is short lived and more issues ensue. Understanding the source of the problem and learning to balance it, is as as complex as eating the right foods in a world that ensures it's seeds never fruit. The same can be said for lending more weight to the label anxiety and blaming it, as opposed to understanding, and making moves to be proactive in finding a natural balance that accepts all things in life for what is. Both the good and the bad - but only the positive is accepted with anything known to be negative ... shunned and rejected.

Whatever Davy Boy.

Read up on how the modern world is out of sync. By doing so, I learned a LOT on how to put myself back into sync. Doing little things to change the environment in which I lived. Cut down the Blue light, fade the levels - transition with the day and night cycles - cover the windows at night to shut out the 24/7 lights - start a new routine ... DO NOT self talk yourself down with excuse using the term anxiety as if it be the cause ... fact is ... it is not the cause but simply the effect. Our way of life is the cause ... you need to change that.

But like I said - whatever Davy Boy ... It's hard work ... no one wants to do that.

Good luck finding another way. You will have to excuse me ... I am feeling rather tired and need of sleep. I've had a rather huge day - implementing various copping mechanisms to ensure that I get a good nights rest.

When you have really had enough ... you'll end up working it out. There is plenty of information on the web in relation to rectifying your sleep patterns, pressure and hygiene. I've got a good take on it - but don't really want to take up space in someone else thread ... I think enough hints given and enough said.

[gadguy]

Hi all

Due to my persistent insomnia + anxiety spikes, I started taking temazapam (benzodiazepine class drug); first with one dose and now two tablets just before I go to sleep. This has not been working for me. It takes me several hours to actually fall asleep, roughly around 7hrs of tossing and turning. I would go to bed at 10pm and literally fall asleep at 6am. My body clock seems to be set to fall asleep on this time. I've attempted forcing myself to wake up at 9am for 5days in a row now, in an attempt to reconfigure my body clock, but have only been receiving futile results.
My nighttime anxiety is getting really bad now given my multiple attempts of trying to wake up early, which i will now have to give up on. Basically, as soon as the lights switch off, with my eyes closed, my mind begins to wander obsessively, a lot of the time contributing to negative thoughts. I haven't fallen asleep within an hour for one whole year now. Does anyone share a similar experience or have any insightful tips?

cheers

Sounds like me...the mind never shut down.

As a longtime insomnia sufferer I can relate.....I would suggest if you have not already done so get a sleep study. I had one at end of last year and was diagnosed with sleep apena(sp) and was prescribed a CPAP machine and it has been life changing, I wish I would have done that 40 years ago. It may not be the cause of your problems but it is worth looking into. My anxiety is at what I would consider a "normal level" and I no longer take meds to sleep and hopefully in two months will be completely med free.

[Dahila]

gadguy my man sleeps so long and he get up tired, I started to wonder if it is sleep apnea.......?

[gadguy]

gadguy my man sleeps so long and he get up tired, I started to wonder if it is sleep apnea.......?


Sounds familiar...get a test.

[Ponder]

Sounds familiar...get a test.

Here's an even better Idea that can save you money. Something to consider.

"Address the source."
Lifestyle changes that can help sleep apnea. Lose weight.Quit smoking.Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and sedatives, especially before bedtime, because they relax the muscles in the throat and interfere with breathing. Exercise regularly. Avoid caffeine and heavy meals within two hours of going to bed.

It's not hard to see that many of these triggers are in fact used to mask the problem. In most cases there is much that the sufferer can do themselves before embarking into a system that does not address the source; but only aids and enables.

EDIT - It's just a suggestion - I know myself how easy it is to simply take the aids and be *&^%ed having to pick up the pieces. However I have come to learn that only I am the one who is able to heal myself. Especially in a world like this one.

It's easy for me to say ... I know that.

I wish you the best for your old man Dahila as well as yourself. I go rave on some in my thread now.

[Dahila]

Not all people, suffering insomnia have sleep apnea. BTW I rather have a traumatic experiences as a small girl, which never got solved or purged, I know the reason for my insomnia, :) thanks guys

[RyanMeehan837]

Try ASMR on YouTube. I have found that helps a lot. Is anyone familiar with this?

[Ponder]

Yes: EDIT - Use headphones for best effect.

TheOneLilium

(https://www.youtube.com/user/TheOneLilium) WhisperCrystal (https://www.youtube.com/user/WhisperCrystal)

ASMR Massage Psychetruth (https://www.youtube.com/user/ASMRMASSAGESPA)

MassageASMR (https://www.youtube.com/user/MassageASMR)

Olivia's Kissper ASMR (https://www.youtube.com/user/OliviaKissperASMR)

GentleWhispering (https://www.youtube.com/user/GentleWhispering)


These are to just name a few - Different flavours for different folk.

Here is a link that explains ASMR pretty well: Again ... Headphones are required for intended effect / triggers.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM5tWg9UJGg&list=PL1OPyJWm858IOB_XVj6_pqIt U4QSJQYN9

Nice to meet you RyanMeehan837 ;)

Edit again... It's not for everyone - [Just like meditation, as soon as you make a judgement on it, it looses effect] - it can also become a reliance factor - other side effects include building up a resistance to the effect which requires having breaks. There is more to this phenomena which would require a separate thread.








(https://www.youtube.com/user/TheOneLilium)

[Ponder]

Try ASMR on YouTube. I have found that helps a lot. Is anyone familiar with this?
What aspects of ASMR and or triggers do you find helps you to relax and how so?

[RyanMeehan837]

What aspects of ASMR and or triggers do you find helps you to relax and how so?

The Salt and Pestle grinding is very soothing. I like tapping noises, but am not a fan of crinkling. I would think crinkling would increase on'es anxiety, but I suppose it's a very individual situation with anything like that

[lolfeg123]

The flight-or-fight response slightly kicked in when I tried listening to ASMR (whispering vid), so I had to stop it. I might try again during the day, not nighttime.

[RyanMeehan837]

Which particular sound did it kick in on? Some triggers are not as pleasant as others. I am just wondering so I can see if maybe we can get you into a better trigger...

[Ponder]

So which was it? - Were you shaking when you heard them whispering or did you put on your boxing gloves????

"Typically" it's a belief that one has, that either sees them judge the scenario as creepy one or one finds a weird sense of pleasure it. It's how in the past we have been conditioned to respond to such intimacy - OR - how I believe people in society have been trained to respond. Whispering is more about the personal attention factor that induces ASMR.

Sounds like you entered into this phenomena with newbiosis. Bit like when people want to get into Out Of Body Experience, but have no clue what to do when they start the dissociation process. Try reading up more about ASMR so the next time you enter into it, you don't end up shaking of feeling the need to fight it.

Given your response, I would say it won't matter what time of day you try it - You’re probably not ready for ASMR or It's not ready for you.

That must of been such a terrible experience for you. Oh My ... I feel bad now. What to do. Sighhhhhh .... Oh my ... poor thing had a panic attack listening to a whispering video.

Are you OK now? ... have you tired breathing after that awful experience??? Again, I am so sryy you were put into such a vulnerable spot. You poor thing.

Please do let us know how you recovery.

Poor dear.

Oh my.

[RyanMeehan837]

I would probably agree with this statement. Perhaps it's just not for you.

[Dahila]

Sleep is overrated ;)

[RyanMeehan837]

I would respectfully disagree. Sleep and the release of DMT is critical to retaining one's sanity. It can't be stressed enough. Hope you are having a great week though!

[Dahila]

Yeah you would say I am insane after more than 30 years suffering with insomnia.............I am Insane!!!

[lolfeg123]

that either sees them judge the scenario as creepy one or one finds a weird sense of pleasure it.

Bit like when people want to get into Out Of Body Experience, but have no clue what to do when they start the dissociation process.

Yes, I get bad vibes from listening, specifically to the whispering parts. I haven't tried listening to the other sounds yet. I found the whispering to be creepy and unnatural as if I had a ghost or demon beside me, chanting someshit close to my ear. accordingly, this gave me a fright, especially since it reminded me of the disturbing episodes I had during sleep paralysis.
On another note, you mentioned obe; do you think that this experience is real?

[RyanMeehan837]

It definitely is real, but by definition poorly named because you are still technically in your body at all times.

[Ponder]

Hello lolfeg123 - you actually make a good point re triggers with regard to that sort of thing. I never considered that implications like that. Excellent point in fact.

Hello - RyanMeehan837 - I tend to think the same regarding OBE. Yes Lolfeg ... My best answer is to say that I think the experience of OBE is a real as we choose. I'm not into the process of leaving my body as such. (kind of like what RyanMeehan837 was saying) I am working very much on coming to understand what other have written about in their own experiences and weighing up what has transpired for them and how It may relate to whatever world I would like to create or what I choose to take on board with the wide array of different stories that abound. Stories such as how we arrived on this rock, what's that all about, who are said entities and why they appear as they do to the person who sees them as they do, what's their purpose and what do they get out of it and so on. I have many other considerations that come to my mind as I cross references those telling,revelations, and or testimonies to the cultures of past and present and how many have made it an isim, not discounting how religion taints, paints and draws from such experience.

There is a lot of room in there to get lost - but coming to understand one's place can most defiantly help to make such an experience a great escape without the fear and or for some ... an alternative without having to wait for death. Again - intention means a lot as well as what we have come to believe or what we would like to recondition.

I will make a thread later where it would be more fitting for any of us that wish to talk about such things.

Hows that sound? I'm really into the practice of OBE - but not just as a general escape ... although I have nothing against such a concept ... not enough space in here for me to discus and I kind of got to go.

I hope you pop in later when and if I specify a post ... or feel free to start an OBE thread ... either way, I will for sure give some good links that talk on a practical approach. ;)

I think although an old cliché/metaphor - it's appropriate to say, "The only thing we need to fear, is fear itself"

[Ponder]

I started a thread in here if your interested in talking OBE - More So -> Reality Shifting.
http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?34533-The-Phase-Phenomenon-%28lucid-dreaming-out-of-body-experience%29&p=226509#post226509