Losing sleep at night due to stuff I've seen recently.?

Question

Aright, folks. I'm in Iraq, on an Army base. I've seen some pretty crazy stuff here, and I'm talking really bad stuff.

I can't say TOO much, I'm not allowed to, but I will say that some recent events have caused me to start losing sleep at night. I've slept about 6 hours total for the past 3 nights, and its really driving me crazy.

Has anyone ever dealt with something like this before, and if so, any tips to cope?

Feel free to send me a message on Yahoo Messenger if you'd rather not share some answers with the general public, or to speak more on the issue.

IM: cramtime

Answer 1

your such a little lair if i ever see u... go on which base u at your american?  

Answer 2

may be you have some anxiety...try relaxation and talk to your doctor ...he may prescribe some sleep pills...also try these simple steps to sleep

http://emedicinelive.com/index.php/healt...

Answer 3

You need to make yourself a priority asap.  Get to the doctor on the base and tell him your problem.  Ask for a referral to speak with a counselor.  You need an outlet and hopefully not meds.  Best wishes.

Answer 4

yea man, exposure to death and violence has a profound affect upon people's sense of security. the length of recovery time varies based upon several factors. recently my girlfriend was murdered in our home by her exboyfriend who went on to kill himself that night. they left behind a 5 year old boy who i was raising as my own for nearly a year. it gets really crazy in my thoughts sometimes. the ONLY avenue to deal with it successfully is to confront it. since it will change your life forever, make the decision to make it somehow positive. especially if you can find a way to help someone else out. this stuff is a fact of life, though. many do not have to face it because of people like you who handle our business for us, thank you on behalf of the rest of the free world. if i can help any further, hit me up. peace in the middle east.

Answer 5

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. You may be suffering from stress (see section 42, page i first) or even be developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (sections 33 - 34, at ezy build) so be on the lookout for signs, and practice a relaxation technique, daily, and when needed.

Answer 6

I have had and witnessed some really painful stuff in my st and due to that i suffer from PTSD post traumatic stress disorder.  Mostly I lose sleep to very vivid and realistic nightmares.  I even fight in my sleep and thrash and bite my husband.  Sleeping pills do not help me with this some make it worse.  Therapy is the only thing that has helped so far, but u may need to talk to someone!!

Answer 7

I want to thank you for serving our country.  It is nice to actually talk to someone over there.   I think if you see a doctor, maybe he/she can prescribe something to help you sleep.   How do the others manage this problem?  You need your sleep so you will be at your best to protect yourself first.   Please take care of yourself.  Stay safe.  Best Wishes.   ( ( ( Hugs) ) )