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Dexamethasone
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Member Since: Apr 2020
Location: Greece
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#1
Hello everyone
To get straight to the point, as you can see from the tittle it's about my sleeping part. However, I need to 'add' on this that since about 10 years ago ( I'm 26 years old now ) I started having anxiety disorder accompanied with phobias regarding health. Those fears are the source of what's making me anxious or afraid because I don't get panic attacks ( just 1 in my life ) or have generalized anxiety without specific thought of a health condition I would be afraid of. I'm mentioning this because what I'll describe to you is ( I think ) assosiated and 'followed' to that starting situation. So, my problem is that I'm afraid of not being able to fall asleep. I'm afraid I'll remain in bed awaken all night and the sun will rise finding me tired and exhausted, knowing I wasted a whole night without getting the appropriate rest. How it all began? Just one night 3 years ago when I was chilling in bed chatting with friends etc. on my mobile phone and kinda attempted to sleep very late at about 4-5 am which was not uncommon sometimes for me, as I used to do that at home or even other nights we hang out in bars/clubs etc. without any problem and got back to sleep normally. However that night I was somehow 'nervous' ( we're human beings, it happens ) or had tension sort of thing and couldn't fall asleep. Sun came up and it terrified me, slept a few hours later and began my day exhausted but the thing is I realized it became a fear because of what occured. *Somehow* at some points of my life I didn't like to get to sleep very late or when the sun appears but it wasn't related with any fear at all, like now. It was just something I don't like. It is also assosiated with the fact that it tires my body so all the health related fears get worse, maybe that's a 'source'? Last night had this happening and fall asleep at 7 am ( also had other anxious nights but didn't went so far except last night, the first night that caused it and one more night at summer ). I just felt I kinda went into deeper sleep mode cause I kinda watched a 'dream' so it means I fall asleep during the night for a few minutes maybe then woke up because of the tension and remained nervous. *Whenever* I have other issue in my life or when my mind is completely 'distracted' from that 'fear' focusing other 'fear' ( example other health situation I'm dealing ) I fall asleep normally without wasting time. In the evenings/afternoons I sleep perfectly normal because I feel there is no pressure on time or anything. At night it all happens. And there is huge impact in my mentality and daily emotion as I do things I normally wouldn't do or refuse to do in order not to cause issue at night. Furthermore to add that this period it has gotten worse as we're all inside at home and kinda spend too much time overthinking or not distracting ourselves, another possible problem is that I spend many hours on PC playing games, do you think that's causing issue? However in the 'past' I did not play games and that fear was also there so.. I also stopped doing sports/work out as well ( I do my whole life ) because I'm not in mood. I'd like to hear your opinions or advices because it's something that's causing big trouble in my life so far and I can't handle it anymore. Something positive or something to motivate me, some tip or some experience. Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you in advance! |
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Helper2
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Skeezyks
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#2
Hello Dexamethasone: I see this is your first post, here on PC. Welcome to Psych Central.
I don't think there is a lot I can offer with regard to your concern. This is all something that may be best explored with the help of a mental health professional. (Perhaps other PC members will have thoughts they'll wish to share.) In the meantime though here are links to 8 articles, from Psych Central's archives, that may be of interest: Anxiety Disorders: Symptoms, Types & Treatments | Psych Central 10 Things People With Anxiety Need to Do Every Day 9 Ways to Reduce Anxiety Right Here, Right Now 15 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Improve Anxiety Symptoms Top 10 Lesser-Known Self-Help Strategies for Anxiety https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-fir...-surprise-you/ https://psychcentral.com/lib/putting...dium=popular17 https://psychcentral.com/lib/15-natu...aster-tonight/ I hope you find PC to be of benefit. __________________ "I may be older but I am not wise / I'm still a child's grown-up disguise / and I never can tell you what you want to know / You will find out as you go." (from: "A Nightengale's Lullaby" - Julie Last) |
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Hi IM Dan
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Member Since: Apr 2020
Location: New jersey
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#3
Hi,
I hate thinking about not being able to sleep when im trying to go to sleep, that's the worse and it makes the night long. I used stay up like you working on hobbies like you said talking on the phone or playing video games that may adjust your body to not want to sleep so be careful. Maybe try laying down with a decent book, read till your eyes cant read anymore then try falling asleep. Sometimes id be up for a couple of days especially if I was anxious or excited, like a new job coming up or an event. It got to the point I went to the doctor to get something prescribed but there are non prescription remedies out there too, ones called melatonin. you can try that if youd like. A lot of the time Id have a lot on my mind and it would keep me up, maybe try jotting down any thoughts or fears laying in bed would help? Just throwing out some suggestions keep us posted |
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Fury
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#4
Sleep is not the same thing as rest.
Some people sleep 16+hrs per day and wake up exhausted. I hardly ever sleep yet I'm almost never tired. People can lie in bed for hours and relax and meditate, without sleeping, and still feel rested. It seems as though you were fine staying awake until you realized the time, then the fear of having lost sleep exhausted you mentally and emotionally. Now you're always worried, which can keep you up, and exhaust your mind and body. The trick is to use your downtime in any way necessary to rejuvenate your body and mind. Some nights it might be sleep, some nights it could be staying up on PC helping others until 0730am 😛 but as long as you feel recovered, you shouldn't let yourself worry. __________________ "I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." |
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Helper2
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#5
You mentioned that " I'm afraid of not being able to fall asleep" during the day. I think you can try CBT cognitive behavioral techniques that will help rewire these thoughts. You can try repeating through out the day that "i am going to have a peaceful sleep" or " I will enjoy sleeping tonight". During a very difficult time in my life I experienced something similar and it was a nightmare just to go to bed. However using this method worked for me. There is someone on YouTube that uses sleep hypnosis that I have used many times and I knock right out. I hope this helped and good luck.
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