What to do about sleep problems?

Question

Yesterday i was told that my uncle hung himself in a cemetry the day before yesterday. when i got told i was in town trying to find out to find out everything i couldnt cry.. when i told my dad we both couldnt register it in our mind and body.. last night my dad slept fine i stayed up all night unable to sleep because i kept seeing a man swinging of a tree by a nouse what should i do im only 15 ?

Answer 1

I am so sorry for you, your father and, of course, your uncle. I once wrote a very long answer for sleep problems. I have changed the answer a little bit and pasted it below. If you want to, you can skim through that answer to see if anything might help with your sleep.

Of course, the answer below does not really address your main issue. Obvously, you have just experienced a major trauma. I hope you don't mind my saying this, but you are still in a state of shock and, of course, you are grieving. Under these circumstances, it is no surprise that you could not sleep. It is also normal that you had such a frightening image of someone swinging from a tree.

Please talk to your dad about your feelings. Even though he might have slept, his grief is probably very similar to yours. Because of the way your uncle died, it might be helpful for you to talk to a counselor or psychotherapist. Many therapists specialize in helping people who are grieving. I don't know where you live, but in most communities there are support groups where you can share your feelings with others who are grieving. Even writing this question to YA is a healthy sign that your are reaching out to others for help. How wonderful!

In the Source section down at the very bottom of this long letter, I have listed two links for support groups. However, most counseling centers will have this information about local groups, which would be most helpful for you.

Again, it is perfectly normal to cry and to have trouble sleeping at this poinnt. Please talk to family members and get professional help if you need it. I send you my prayers for you and your family to heal.  

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Depending on the season, a warm bath with lavender oil or whatever oil is most soothing for you, is a great way to relax both your body and your mind. If you can’t take a bath, you can give yourself a foot massage with slightly warm oil, preferably sesame oil or castor oil.

What was very helpful to me, especially when my mind was racing, was to lie in bed and listen to relaxation CDs, especially those that contain someone speaking with relaxing music in the background. Many of these CDs are available on eBay for very low prices.

A relaxation technique similar to meditation is relax your body one part at a time. So you could relax your feet, your lower legs, upper legs, moving up from your lower belly up to your chest, etc., etc.

Of course, guided relaxation methods can help, imagining yourself in the country, the beach, or whatever is most soothing to you.

(PLEASE NOTE: I am not sure if these herbs are appropriate for you. However, I have left them in my letter. If possible, check with a doctor or someone who knows a lot about herbs.)

There are herbs that are helpful for sleep, eg, valerian root, kava kava, chamomile, hops, passion flower, catnip. If you get the real herbs, you can make teas out of them. Otherwise get the herbs in capsule form. You can try a single herb or herbal combinations. Probably, valerian root and kava kava are the best.  

Answer 2

Your not being able to sleep is a very normal reaction.  You don't have a sleep problem (at least not yet).  You didn't actually see the event, but your mind has come up with a picture of what you think it would look like.  Sometimes these pictures are hard to get out of your head.  Talk to your dad, he might not of slept as good as you think he did.  If not your dad then talk to someone.  Talking this through and telling your mom or dad will make this easier.