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What it means to believe

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What it means to believe

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

Thank you, I feel really humbled at how kind you all are. I've tried to give myself that "break" the past couple of nights, and it's definitely helped me sleep more. I noticed at one point while I was trying to sleep on Friday night that the queasy feeling in my stomach was really hunger, and once I ate a little bit, I felt much more relaxed and was able to fall asleep, even if just for a few hours. It's the little victories, I suppose. I do feel more optimistic, like this will pass eventually, but it is still difficult to get rid of the nagging feeling that I am at odds with myself. I do believe everything will be okay overall, but I still get lost in invasive thought patterns. I wind up "checking" for the panic feeling (which is often why I jerk myself awake) and then I'm in the thick of it. On another positive note, I have an appointment this week with a psychologist. I'm not sure what the approach will be, I am definitely concerned/nervous about the possibility of needing meds, but I want to remain open to whatever opportunities I have to work through this.

I was dealt a little bit of a blow Friday, when I found bed bugs in my bed and sofa. I spent the weekend getting rid of both pieces of furniture, and I've spent the past couple of nights sleeping on an air mattress. I have to say, it's a little difficult to keep this from being an excuse to be anxious. I haven't had a full blown panic attack since I found them, which I am so happy about, but I do find that I am feeling sorry for myself, and that makes me steadily anxious. This isn't exactly information that brings people closer together. I'm adjusting as best as I can, I guess. Funnily enough, I'm so much more worried about getting sleep than I am about this actual problem that it makes me laugh at myself a little.

I so appreciate your positive thoughts, they are always helpful. Have a good week, everyone. I'll be doing my best to let myself be.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Hi KT,

It can be hard to just stop thinking something when you know you have to. Session two talks a lot about this - take a look.

All the members have given you great advice. Try to take some pressure off yourself. You will get this, just give yourself time. How about tonight you give yourself a "break" from trying to fall asleep. If you go to sleep great if not, no problem. Do you think this would be helpful?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1665

Hi KT: I've been through the sleepless nights too. Horrible when you get up in the morning so exhausted and "wired". That's how I felt. We really need that restorative sleep for all body systems.

I use a cup of hot milk and a book to read. Then if that doesn't work, put on a relaxation tape - even two if needed. If that doesn't work I'm writing a book in my mind. I can visualize all the scenes as though it were a movie and how I want the characters to look, etc. Sometimes I get so bogged down with minute details, I fall asleep before I know it. Another thing I used to visualize is my living room/house. I decorate as though money were no object. Sometimes it's a garden with gardeners to help me. In my fantasy, anything goes and weather doesn't matter. Silly stuff, but it gets my mind off worries or those thoughts which go round and round. Hope you find some relief soon,

Your friend, Sunny

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 356

KT,

I feel for you. not getting proper sleep as you know, is not good for you. I agree with Red, consider Davit's advice, he really knows what he is talking about with this.

Relaxing techniques, I admit, i watch my favorite show before bed which I know all the advice is to not watch tv. but i make sure it is something comforting. the tv equivalent of mac and cheese. :) Don't underestimate a warm bath and anything else you find relaxing.

I also bought a herbal pill "relax and sleep" at the drug store and used it for a while. it has the same thing as sleepy time tea - basically catnip and chamomile. the catnip was a bit too much for me, but it did help me sleep. it is worth a try. you'd know right away if it doesn't work for you.

It is really hard to let go of the worry about something like being able to go to sleep. it can consume you and feels like a vicious circle, you worry about not sleeping and this prevents you from being able to get to sleep. i feel your pain on this. again, listen to davit, and try to focus on anything that helps you to feel relaxed especially before bedtime.

Keep posting here. I posted A LOT when I tackled my first few negative thoughts / worry. I was out of touch with how to relax as well. It gets easier. Posting a lot is welcomed here. you are not alone.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 659

KT,

I am so sorry you are having a hard time sleeping and staying asleep. I used to wake up every 2 hours all night long. I was a caregiver at home and woke up every two hours all night long to check on my husband when he was ill. After he passed away I kept waking up all night long. I was only getting 2 to 4 hrs of sleep a night. I did this for a couple of years because I was still on duty in my mind. Anyway I finally talked to a doctor about it and asked him for Xanax so that I could sleep and it worked. I was able to break this vicious cycle.

Now I have valium 5mg that I can take if I am having a hard time sleeping. I don't have to take it very often but if I haven't been sleeping for a few nights I don't hesitate to take something for it. Going without sleep can be very exhausting and can lead to depression after a while. It did in my case. Maybe it is time to talk to a doctor about this problem you are having?

Red

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 538

Here's a coping mechanism I use sometimes, when the negative thoughts come in my mind during the night...I visualize the letters, one by one, then roll them up into a snow ball, and throw it as far as I can . I just did this last night, the "what ifs" came in mind... so I took the w, then added the h....etc, formed a ball, and threw it in my mind, thinking " I know this is just my anxiety , not the truth"...cause I used to "overreact", but not now, now I see that its all ok, I'm ok, everythings fine, whether I sleep or not... no pressure.... I just kind of "let go". Ofcourse I fell to sleep.Then I think its kind of like the old "counting sheep " thing.... its something to take your mind off whatever it is you are obsessing about. Whether or not this is something that helps you, KT, please know that you are not alone, I am here for you, and listen to Uncle Davit...believe.. just believe!

Cleo

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6252

I want you to be able to sleep so forget every thing you are doing and go back to working on relaxing and coping. I don't think you have these established good enough to advance to exposure or negative core beliefs and they have to be astablished first. Forget about getting cured even, that will come later and it will come.

Can you do the box breathing and muscle relaxing described on here.

Members: can you add some relaxing techniques for KT.

How about coping skills.

KT you have to be able to accept the anxiety and ignore it. You need a mantra that you can repeat to block out the negative thoughts. Anything on the line of I'm okay or I can sleep will do. And this is the important part you have to trust me and believe you can sleep just because I say you can, because I know you can, because I have been there. Believe me if you can not believe yourself, but believe. Just believe. One sleep will lead to another and another. You could also try camomile tea or sleepy time tea or if you are not on thyroid medication then Lemon Balm which definitely works.

Here for you,

Your friend

Davit.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 18

I guess what I still struggle with is a much stronger belief in the negative thoughts than the challenges to those thoughts. For instance, I feel like I am certain I won't be able to sleep tonight, because I have kept myself from sleeping properly for nearly a week now based on me telling myself that I won't be able to sleep, or jerking myself awake when I am falling asleep. My question is, at what point does the challenge translate into a new belief? I want so desperately to be kinder to myself, but I can't seem to find the will, while I seem to have no problem assuming the worst and "checking" to see if the anxiety is still there. I am exhausted, but still I don't believe I will sleep. Am I supposed to wait until I am so sick and tired of being this way that I let go of the worry? Today has been a struggle, I won't lie. Any advice is gladly appreciated.

Katie

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What it means to believe