How do I control this major insomnia problem?

Question

For most normal people out there, it takes a lot of effort to stay up all night. For me, it's hard to go to sleep at a decent time. It's a miracle if I ever do. Sometimes I'll finally go to sleep at 8 in the morning because of combination of forcing myself and Benadryl (allergy medicine that makes you drowsy). And it doesn't matter how early I wake up, I still can't sleep through the night...I'm just more exhausted, which makes me frustrated when I still can't fall asleep.

School is starting in 3 days for me, and I don't know how I'll ever get back on track. I suppose I could take Benadryl the first few nights, but I can't take it EVERY single night.

Last year and the year before, I probably missed a month of school (maybe more) due to insomnia...I was too tired and unfocused, so I stayed home so I could try to get some sleep. Last time I went to school after staying up all night, I almost passed out (I don't even know why).

What can I do to stop this?

And if I do end up staying awake all night again, how can I remain focused and full of energy throughout the day? I'm going into 9th grade, so it's important that I do well. I take school very seriously.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I am with the folks here that suggested that you go to a doctor. Insomnia like this is definitely not normal at any age!

I went through a serious bout of it about a year ago, and I thought that I was going to lose my mind. I could not fall asleep most nights, but then when I finally did, I might not be able to wake up at all when I needed to. Then some afternoons I would come in from school and just sit down to rest, then I would sleep from five in the evening all the way through to the next morning.

I guess with me being older than you, my first doc gave me sleeping pills. it took a second doc to diagnose and treat the thyroid disorder that was causing the problem.

A good doc will go through an endocrine panel with you and see if there is something in your hypothalmus/thyroid/pituitary system that is causing this disruption in routine.

You are obviously very bright and articulate for someone who is going into 9th grade, and you deserve so much more than missing days and months of school due to a treatable condition.

You are starting the most critical phase of your education to date - go see a doctor so you can start having a healthy, normal life where you can shine the way that you deserve to!

Answer 2

INSOMNIA: Exercise, but not within 2 hours of bedtime. Have a warm bath, or shower, an hour before bedtime, then a glass of very warm milk, possibly with Horlicks, or one of the herbal teas, below, and use dimmer lighting. Put your mind in a position where it wants to shut itself off, and sleep. See insomnia treatments, in much more detail than can be included here, in section 3, at ezy build, below. Use one of the relaxation methods, in bed, after lights out, on pages 2, 11, 2.c, or 2.i, but they can take some time to learn, (progressive muscular relaxation excepted) so learn and become proficient in their use during the day.

An alternative is to use the EFT, in section 53, and pages 2.q, and 2.o, saying to yourself: "Even though I currently have a sleep disorder, I deeply and completely accept myself." (or choose your own wording) while you use the acupressure tapping. Some more; quick, and easy to learn, are at http://www.umm.edu/sleep/relax_tech.htm The progressive muscle relaxation, (most easily learned) guided imagery, and mindfulness breathing are known to be effective.

Find out which works best for you, in the daylight hours, so you will be prepared, come bedtime. For many people, a good idea is to develop a set "wind down" routine for the last hour before bedtime, so your subconscious mind learns that it is time to put thinking aside, and prepare for mindfulness, (awareness, without cogitation/purposeful thought) or the EFT, in preparation for sleep, but the idea with mindfulness is to not even think about sleeping: just drift off, naturally, during exercising those techniques.

Avoid TV, computer, or anything exciting in this hour, although reading a BORING! book is a good idea. I suggest that you try using the EMDR variant, below, prior to the mindfulness, or the progressive muscular relaxation, but after the EFT, if that method is chosen. Experiment, to find which combination works best for you.

In section 3: INSOMNIA: PAGE O - INSOMNIA: A COMPREHENSIVE POST a variant of Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing therapy is shown, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from insomnia, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and anxiety. It is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective; although it is easy to be dismissive of such a seemingly unusual technique, give it a good tryout, for at least a few weeks, to see if it is effective in your case. I learned it from a book by a published clinical psychologist, and now use it every night, and find it works well.

Usually, I have a cup of chamomile herbal tea, an hour before bedtime, and employ many of the techniques in section 3. Others may prefer Sleepytime, by Celestial Seasonings, Relax, Be Sleepy, or valerian root, from supermarket tea, or health food aisles. Milk, or cream should not be used with herbal tea. http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris and if worrying is keeping you awake, see section 6: page N first. Start moving your bedtime earlier, in stages, each night, until at a reasonable hour.

Answer 3

You need medical help.

I'm assuming that your parents know about the insomnia problem? Ask them to please take you to the doctor and get it checked out. If money is a problem, you can talk to the school nurse or guidance counselor and they can help you get medical care for free or reduced costs.

BTW, you write very nicely for someone your age.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Ok- number one stop taking anything that makes you drowsy.  Your body becomes addicted to it, no matter how weak it is, and therefore you can't catch up on normal sleep.  I learn't this when I went through a phase where I couldn't sleep so I took this vitamin thing that helped sleep.  Was not a good idea cause it took me ages to get back to a regular pattern.

If you believe you have insomnia, and it sounds like you've had a past of not being able to sleep, then visit your doctor and get some tests run.  It could be as simple as having an iron deficiency and needing a supplement (like myself)

Good luck and sweet dreams! xox

Answer 5

especially important for high school, its when your grades actually count. you need to get a sleeping medication asap. i have insomnia as well and i cant stay asleep if i sleep before 5am. most times im up 3 days in a row before i get 4 hours of sleep

Answer 6

I'm the exact same way babe - going into high school, and it's 6am here &  i haven't slept yet.

Have you tried going to a psychologist? Is anything really bothering you? Usually if you just have a talk with someone and let go of some of the anxiety that might be bothering you, you'll sleep a little better.

I'm gonna try not to go to sleep today, and just try to go to bed around 10 tonight or something.

How about a bubble bath before you go to bed, instead of joint? ahaha. Or try getting some lavender scented spray or diffusers to help make you sleepy. Lavender is one of those things that makes you tired, and you sleep loads better.

To stay up all day can be done, if crack addicts can do it, we can.

Just keep busy. I'm not even tired, that's why I'm not going to bed. It's like when you do sleep, IF you do, you only get like an hour. Just try to keep busy and try wearing yourself out.

Good luck hun, get some rest

Answer 7

Ask your doctor about trazedone.  For me it was a total lifesaver.  It is actually classified as an antidepressant, but it is rarely used anymore because it makes you really tired.  I take half of one and am out in 20 minutes and am wide awake 8 hrs later with none of the icky grogginess that you get with benadryl or tylenol pm.  AND it is not addictive.

Also, Melatonin works wonders and you can find it in any supermarket supplements section.

But whether you choose trazedone or melatonin or not, if your insomnia is affecting your life this much you need to talk to a doctor about treatment.

Answer 8

I have the exact same problem! It is 5:23am and I have not gotten a single second of sleep since 11am. I'm 16 and I too start school on Tuesday and I'm terrified to not being able to wake up on time that day. I take Nyquil to help me sleep, but it has stopped working for me.

Well what I think it is,

is the excitement we get right before we sleep.

Like, if we watch television, listen to music or check our Myspace right before we go to sleep, I mean, I think thats what keeps us up or something.

What I'm gonna try is having absolutely no contact with television, music or internet 4 hours prior to the time I wanna get to bed,

and hope to God that it will work and I will fall asleep.

It wont hurt to try!

I understand what you are going through.

I think it would also help if our parent knew? Maybe it is a disorder?

I don't know, but if this continiues, I'm seeing a doctor or something.

Answer 9

I really sympathize with you and I wish I had a good answer. I can tell you that its not that uncommon for teenagers to have very difficult insomnia -- apparently its hormonal. My advice is to tell your parents you would like to make an appointment with your doctor to discuss it. Let them know how serious the problem is, how much it impedes your school attendance, etc. I certainly hope they understand and are supportive. Don't just settle with "Well, just get to bed early and you'll be fine, you don't need a doctor" etc. If you can't see your doctor go to your school counselor and ask for help. This can be a very serious problem if it goes on too long. Sleep deprivation is actual torture to your mind and your body -- it can cause anxiety and depression and all kinds of other problems, even diabetes! You simply can't function with very little sleep. So ask for help and make sure you're taken seriously. The doctor might prescribe medication -- be VERY careful with it and follow the doctor's instructions and tell you parents if you have any unusual reactions to it. The medication can't be taken forever, however, so once you're sleeping fairly regularly the doctor will probably taper you off of it. At that point you must follow a strict "sleep hygiene" regimen and really stick to it.

Here's a site that tells you about sleep hygiene:

http://www.sleepeducation.com/Hygiene.as...

There are lots of other sites that discuss that, just use those keywords.

Good luck!! You sound like a smart young woman and you deserve to take care of yourself to be healthy and happy and do well in school!

Answer 10

insomnia is a anoying proplen the site i find use full is http://www.sleepaus.on.net/insomniainfor... it has info on caused the impact and more cheak it out

from

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Answer 11

You shouldn't have insomnia as a young person. So do seek medical advice. Other then that if your open to anything maybe have a joint before you go to sleep. It will help with your problem.  

Answer 12

Exercise!! This would help your blood circulation and would help you respiratory system. Maybe you have a anxiety problems. The best thing you can do is to face whatever that makes you anxious. It it doesnt help go and talk to a guidance counselor or maybe visit a learning resource center. They would help you if you have any kind of problem that affects your studies. They would even arrange to have a special test for you if you have anxiety during exams. Last thing is to clear up your mind. Maybe you're just thinking to much. Take yoga class or just meditate.  

Answer 13

just keep up the insomniac side of you and eventually u will go home right after school 1 day and fall asleep for 15 hours haha im the same as you i have insomnia as well  i dunnno but thats what i do to get back on track

Answer 14

Ha ok I'm not going to suggest drugs, but you could go see your doctor and discuss sleeping medication. They will probably want you to try other methods first though as sleeping tablets are very addictive and you are very young. I'm curious as to why at your age you would have such bad insomnia. Is it thoughts that keep you awake, do you have things bothering you? If so you should really deal with this with the help of a counsellor. How is your diet and exercise? You need to stay away from caffeine at all costs, and exercise every day so that your body has used up its energy to sleep. If its stress, you need to find some relaxation techniques, like playing calm music, taking a warm bath before bed, etc, Hope this helps.