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Astrid


Member

Posted Mon Jan 17th, 2011 10:36pm Post subject: The insomnia thread

Yes it's a terrible thought-chaos in my head many nights. My psychiatrist has set the limit for the number of hours without sleep, to 45 - 50, in my case.I have to get some help if this is exceeded.

Have any of you had a similar limit from your doctor?


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clotje


Member

Posted Wed Jan 19th, 2011 8:39am Post subject: The insomnia thread

No, my doctor said that people with ADHD sleep very little anyway. He just gave me some sleeping pills, to tie me over.

I have recently (since monday) started mindfulness training and I must say the I've been sleeping better. Although my problems (on the brink of loosing my job) are still very much on my mind. Still it seems that the mindfulness seems to help me sleep better at night, so I hope that continues. I'd recommed giving it a go. I found some books about mindfulness (it's sort of zen-like living)in my local library. I'm sure you'd be able to find some in your local library too (so it won't cost an arm and a leg to have a look see)


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clochm


Member

Posted Thu Jan 20th, 2011 11:18am Post subject: The insomnia thread

Hello fellow creatures of sleeplessness.
Gotta comment on the usefulness of mindfullness. I do it often to stay balanced on the tightrope of life. And thanks to the wonderful Dr Sharma, I practice an awesome tip - as a strategy of focusing - that help to settle those ruminations in the dark, quiet hours.
You put your index/middle fingers onto your wrist or neck (carotid) arteries, and focus only on the bounding, rushing sensation of your pulse under your fingers. It is important to try not to worry about the rate or pace of your heartbeat, but simply the FEEL of your heart bounding again and again and again with no battery, no power outlet, no real demands on you, no backward step or failure to deliver... just the continuing reliability of the blood in your veins. Each time the mind wanders off - which it WILL do over and over - you just take your focus back to that thing of wonder under your skin. Eventually, the goal is to focus simply on the pulse so that before you know it, your heartbeat is slowed, the pressure lessens and the racing thoughts are replaced with the ongoing attention to your heartbeat, its feel and its rhythm. I have had moments where I have actually lost my pulse and had to relocate it. The sensation then became more about the heart. I often fall asleep just concentrating on the 'boom boom boom' and committing to the following: My thoughts will flit off. My heart will keep beating despite my thoughts' own intention. I accept each thought as valid but passing at the moment... 'boom boom - boom boom'.
Anyway, it works for me - usually when anxiety or stress hits - and I would do it 15-30 times a day. But practice it even for a few minutes, and if it works a fraction of the time, you have given yourself a fraction of peace.
Good luck
xo

This too shall pass.

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clotje


Member

Posted Thu Jan 20th, 2011 8:39pm Post subject: The insomnia thread

Hiya clochm,
Thanks for the tip! I'll try it!
Anything that'll help me doze off and focus my mind is greatly appreciated!


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Astrid


Member

Posted Sat Jan 22nd, 2011 4:18am Post subject: The insomnia thread

Thank you clochum, I will try...! Realy worth trying this advise!
((If this do not work,- remember Winston Churchill,(manic depressive too),- he said "If you're going through hell, keep going!"))


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Susanne85


Member

Posted Tue Feb 8th, 2011 3:49am Post subject: The insomnia thread

I have to get this out of my head.

I'm back to the sleepless nights. It's 3:42 here and I am trying to sleep since about 0:00. Am listening to The Fry Chronicles. Most of the time that works and I fall asleep while Stephen is talking. Not that he's dull but he has a nice voice, kinda hypnotizing or something. Anyway, it doesn't work now. I have been writing thoughts down that keep bugging my mind but that doesn't help me either. I have all these ideas for some artproject I'm working on at the moment but I JUST WANT TO SLEEP. It's freaking nighttime for god's sake.


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Wilde Woman


Member

Posted Sat Feb 12th, 2011 3:34am Post subject: The insomnia thread

Yep. not sleeping due to worrying about stuff that might never happen. Wish the referral for my next course of counselling would hurry up and come through.

My Blogsites:
http://mindwalking-ajournalofdiscovery.blogspot.com/
http://thisinspiration.blogspot.com/
http://thelightersideofmadness.blogspot.com/
It's the one who haven't been assessed I'm scared of!

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Apple


Member

Posted Sun Feb 13th, 2011 8:02am Post subject: The insomnia thread

Can't sleep.... Falling asleep, at the earliest, 3:30 AM (12:45 now). Latest is 5 AM. Been like this since I was 8 or 9 (17 now). Refuse to use sleeping pills because they give me a 'hangover' feeling. Reading keeps me awake, even the dullest of books. Music just makes me play along to it. Doesn't matter if I go to bed at 5 AM and wake up at 8 AM and not take a nap that day. I'll still not be able to sleep before 3:30. The only times I can think of falling asleep easily were on Sunday mornings, my dad watching F1 racing and the sound of the announcer's voice.
Some times I wish I could sleep, other times I love not being able to. What my mom calls my 'creative juices' begin to flow late at night, but it also leads to an emo state (not depressive, just a quick emo phase). When I write my essays at this time, they usually turn out a whole lot better than during the day. God, now I want to write....
ANYWAYS
When I do try to fall asleep, without resorting to sleeping pills, I find music I enjoy. Usually it begins with sad songs, then escalates to happier songs (but in down tempo themes). I turn off the computer screen, lay on the floor and stare and think. It works, some times. If anyone wants to try this, I can give you a few suggestions from my own list of songs.

Honest to god, ducks are rapists. Also, dolphins.

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katysara


Moderator

Posted Mon Feb 14th, 2011 8:30pm Post subject: The insomnia thread

Sounds very similar to me apple...

I am an administrator on this site.

"Having a great intellect is no path to being happy."
~ Stephen Fry

See my website: www.katysaraculling.com

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