Why cant I SLEEP at night!!?

Question

somebody help, i only get like 2 hours of sleep per day.  I already take benadryl every night and drink sleepy tea.  Also take melotonin,  Ive tried everything!...  My dad will not give me my sleeping pills that i have and will not fill the prescription.  I am only 15 and cannot go to the store.  My mind races and i can never fall asleep almost all night.  I wonder if it could all be in my head, i keep thinking about "Why cant i go to sleep" which is keeping me up. bye

Answer 1

I think the biggest reason you are not falling asleep is that you keep worrying too much about not falling asleep.  Just relax, but I can't promise you that will fall asleep but it will certainly make your night less miserable, and it will give your mind some rest, because you are not getting much rest by stressing out about it.

It can take me hours to fall asleep some nights, and when I get too bored I sometimes make up stories.

Also, get into a healthy sleeping habit, like going to bed at 10 and waking up at 7.  10 may seem kinda early, but after you go to bed at the time for a week or so, you'll always get tired at the time and it is much easier to fall asleep.

Answer 2

stress - try walking before bed ofr a long ways or watching a relaxing show or nature thing on tv or listen to nature htings on your  computer like rain, whales etc - you can find a ton of them on lime wire a free music sharing service  

Answer 3

I used to have a similar problem, I literally was afraid of dying due to the lack of sleeping : )

I found that occupying myself mentally and physically (reading, studying, exercising) was the best as you'll be so tired to even think about anything but taking a nice and long rest.

Answer 4

"My mind races" indicates an anxiety disorder, and there are better solutions than medications for this. See anxiety treatments, at  ezy build (below) in section 6, also section 3 later; page O first. Set yourself a specific time period for worrying about anything, (say; around three quarters of an hour, possibly when you get home, or after your evening meal, but not too close to bedtime) after which, resolve firmly to refuse to even entertain the thought of worrying again on that day: realise and accept that to do otherwise would be counterproductive to your mental health, and enjoyment of life.    

                  You will have had your "worry time" for the day, and can just write down any more thoughts that come to mind, and say to yourself: "Well, I'll just have to worry about that tomorrow, won't I?".            It is important to deal with a negative internal monologue (self talk), or mental process, such as disturbing thoughts, or images, by the process of (a): recognising it, and (b): challenging it immediately.          

                                                                                 When you notice  something negative, such as: "I'm never going to get over this!" or: "Why am I always so pathetic/useless/such a loser?" or even: "I can't do this/will never get over this!", or a disturbing image, recognise that this is part of the mindset which will hold you back from progressing in your recovery.                                                                                                                                                                           Having identified and labelled it, I first visualise a large  "STOP!" sign, then I say to myself as forcefully as you can, even aloud in a big voice, if alone: "I know this tactic: GO AWAY FOR A WHILE !!!" You may want to use either: "ruse", "ploy", "game", or "trick", instead of "tactic". In the case of an image, visualise a large "STOP" sign, or your preferred version.                                                                                                                                           Some people go so far as to keep a wide rubber band in their pocket, then put it around their wrist, when they catch themselves backsliding, stretch and release it, as a method of reprogramming their mind sooner, but I don't regard it as being strictly necessary. Remember to remove it, afterwards, if you use this method.

         Practice one of the relaxation methods in sections 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Alternatively, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53,  and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at  http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from anxiety, I deeply and completely accept myself." Neurofeedback treatment for anxiety is increasingly becoming available.  Herbal remedies, such as valerian, (which is not recommended for use if depression is also present) passionflower, or St.John's wort, are often effective, but the idea is (as with anxiolytic medication) to use them like water wings, or training wheels on a bicycle, providing initial support, and giving time for other treatments, such as therapy, and relaxation techniques, to take effect.              

                        (The following is a variant of Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective. It is easy to be dismissive of such a seemingly unusual technique, but give it a good tryout, for at least a few weeks, to see if it is effective in your case).

Prior to using either of the methods in the above paragraph, first sit comfortably, and take a deep breath. Then, without moving your head, move your eyes from the left, to the right, and back again, taking around a second to do so (say: "a thousand and one": this takes approximately a second).

Repeat this procedure (without the words, although you can count, subvocally, if you like) 20 times: "A thousand and one; a thousand and two... " and so on, to a thousand and twenty. Then close your eyes and relax. Become aware of any tension or discomfort you feel.                      

                 Then open your eyes, and take another deep breath, and repeat step one, closing your eyes, and relaxing afterwards, in the same manner. Then, repeat the procedure one last time. Some people may find that this is all they need do.   With experience, you may find that you can practise this in public, with your eyes closed, which greatly widens the window of opportunity for its use, and avoids attracting unwanted

Answer 5

It could be a number of things. I find that most of the time I have sleep issues it is because that I am worried about something or have something on my mind. You might not realize that you are worried, because it might be subconscious. I have a problem with my mind wandering at night as well. For me, the middle of the night is when my mind is the most active and I usually deal with my problems and think about what I'm going to do the next day. You should try reading or typing before you get ready to go to sleep. That tires your eyes and your mind out so you don't have energy for your mind to wander. If that doesn't work then try doing something active like cleaning or walking on the treadmill. If you do about a half an hour of that in the middle of the night, your body will probably get tired and let you sleep soundly. When you are about to go to sleep don't try to force yourself to go to sleep. Just find a comfortable spot and eventually you will have to go to sleep. If you have only had about 2 hours a day like you say, you will eventually get to the point where you fall asleep the minute you hit the pillow. You can't stay up forever. I hope you feel better. I've been through the same thing so I know how much it sucks.  Good luck!!  

Answer 6

dont stay in bed for longer than 30 min without sleeping. you have now associated your bed with sleeping struggles. Get up, and go read a dull book or do some easy chores, or something else mildly interesting. do not get back into bed until tired. repeat until you fall asleep.