Okay well, I think I might have insomnia problems? I am 14 female, I usually can’t fall asleep for around 4-5 hours even if I am tired and the room is silent. Also, I NEVER feel refreshed after sleeping (even if it’s for over 8 hours). I often have other problems too like OCD and I have many fears/phobias which also keep me awake. I do have some stress and lately have been feeling kind of depressed.

Please help!

Chosen Answer:

Insomnia sucks.
I used to have it.
Main things are lifestyle changes. First off, never do anything in your bed except for sleeping. Then your brain associates your bed with sleeping, instead of reading, doing homework, watching TV, you know. Second, an hour before you go to bed, turn of the music, the computer, the phone, and maybe even the TV, or just anything that keeps your mind going. Your mind will shut down, then you can go to bed when your mind is shut down.

And about waking up feeling not refreshed, it’s because you’re getting up too early. Even if you go to bed at 8, and you get up at 4 AM(getting 8 hours of sleep), your body won’t like it. Because of your Circadian Rhythm, at 4 AM, you are still asleep to your body. I’m sure you don’t get up at 4, but if you get up at 6 AM, you are still getting up too early, and I know that sometimes it’s unavoidable. But try to make allowances to allow yourself to get up later. Skip a shower in the morning, instead take one before you go to bed. If you HAVE to have one, shorten it. Also, lay out all of your clothes before you go bed.
Also, just relax. Sleeping is fun.
I hope I helped.
by: bob
on: 6th January 08

what are some signs of insomnia….other than not being able to sleep?

Chosen Answer:

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep (initial insomnia) or staying asleep (middle insomnia) or by early awakening with an inability to go back to sleep (terminal insomnia). A sleep disorder such as insomnia can lead to daytime drowsiness, reduced concentration, and a lack of feeling refreshed or rested upon awakening.You can start falling asleep while doing something like driving. Insomnia can be caused by ordinary stress and anxiety or secondary by depression. 50% of the population experiences it a one time or another. 10% have chronic insomnia.

I have some tips to help you sleep contact me. sos@lighthouseofhalo.com
by: lighthouse_halo
on: 4th August 06

im not sure if i have some kind of insomnia. i cant maintain sleeping patterns. i have a lot of trouble falling asleep, but i also have a difficult time waking up. even if i sleep for 10 or 12 hours i have trouble waking up. so my question is a: do i have some form of insomnia and what is it called. and b: what are some possible medications/ solutions.

Chosen Answer:

There are three different types of insomnia, each with their own type of treatments.

http://knownhealthsolutions.com/insomnia.html

Make sure you know which one you have, before you waste your money!
by: Dr. Eric J
on: 30th May 08

For years I’ve had insomnia. I can’t even remember the last time I fell asleep within an hour.

Chosen Answer:

Ok, here we go… you asked.

I’ve had insomnia for years and my main problem is my mind wont stop thinking. If you are ready to sleep, willing to put forth some effort and give it some time(a couple weeks of this routine and 1-2 hours per night at first), you can sleep without drugs =)

First-Look up sleep hygene and make sure you are following as many of these recommendations as possible like: no caffeine/stimulants, keep the room dark, cool and quiet, turn off your phone, get a loud fan that will drone out other noises, watch what you eat/drink for dinner or late night snacks, make a list of what you need to do tomorrow so you dont stay up thinking about it, stretch, brush teeth, warm shower, etc….

Second-Find a tv show that is slightly entertaining(too much and you will be winding up vs. winding down) and somewhat dull( too dull and you will not stay focused on the show), Fraiser works for me. Record 2-3 episodes for each night or find a second show so you have at least an hour and a half worth of shows to watch and wind down. Do all of your sleep hygene before climbing into bed and starting the show.

Then keep the volume at a low level and stay focused on the show. If your mind wanders, when you notice this, re-direct your attention back to the show. After 30-45 mins, you should start feeling sleepy. This is where it takes effort, do not turn off the tv yet. Instead, turn the volume down a bit, lie down and close your eyes. Make sure you can still hear the show and keep your focus on what they are saying. After 15-20 mins, the volume will become loud to you as you relax more, so turn the volume down a little more. Now keep listening to the show until you start drifting off to sleep. You will probably wake up to the tv after a breif nap and now I can turn off the tv here and fall asleep. You may want to turn the volume down a little more before turning the tv completely off or even be ok with leaving the tv on all night( if the light doesnt bother you). Once you notice that you woke up from being asleep, you can usually fall back asleep easily.

This method takes some practice and focus but it works! It will bring your mind to a relaxing state and also help you stay asleep throughout the night because you wont be physically falling asleep with your mind still being active. Good luck!
by: bustmethods
on: 24th June 08

I have insomnia. Its almost like I fight going and staying asleep, even though I’m exhausted. I will be almost asleep, and the I start getting agitated until I have to get up and take a shower, or read, or watch tv. Then it starts all over again and before I know it, its 3am and I have to get up at 5am.

Chosen Answer:

Try Sominex or Benedryl 50mg (over the counter) at first to induce drowsiness, at the most take a maximum of 75mg. Ensure you are around someone if you have an allergic reaction to antihistamines or diphenhydramine. If insomnia persists, see a doctor as it could be an underlying problem of depression or anxiety that you will need prescription drugs for.
by:
on: 9th February 12

I have always had trouble falling asleep at night. I have to take an over the counter sleep aid every night because if I don’t I simply wont go to sleep. Now the sleep aid does not help. I wake up at 5 every morning after going to sleep at 12 or 1 and I do not go back to sleep until 7 or 8 if I do go back to sleep. Does anyone know if this could be a sign of insomnia?

Chosen Answer:

Talk to your doctor about these:

Rozerem
Ambien CR
Temazepam
Serax
Oxazepam
Lunesta

Temazepam is the best benzodiazepine for insomnia (especially when you can’t stay asleep). It works for most people and, unlike all other benzodiazepines, will not interfere with sleep architecture.

Oxazepam is not as commonly used but it is one of the top drugs for people who wake up later and do not respond to first line drugs.
by: Ducky
on: 15th September 09

Yeah I have insomnia every summer for some reason. I’ve talked to my doctor about it but he has been no help at all. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Chosen Answer:

To relieve insomnia, you should avoid substances that make it worse and have good bedtime habits that make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Make sure your bedroom is a comfortable temperature, dark, and quiet enough for sleep.

Good bedtime habits include:

- Prepare yourself for sleep by, e.g. preparing a ‘to do’ list for tomorrow, so that such distractions are at their minimum when you actually hit the bed.

- Turn your alarm clock so that its glow doesn’t let you know of the time ticking away.

- Not exercising, eating heavy meals, or drinking a lot shortly before bedtime. One exception is yoga. A number of yoga postures are designed to calm your body and prepare you for sleep.

- Following a routine that helps you wind down and relax before bed, such as reading a book, listening to soothing music, or taking a hot bath.

- If you share a bed, buy a king size bed with two different mattresses so that you two don’t disturb each other while sleeping.

- Making your bedroom sleep-friendly. Avoid bright lighting and minimize possible sleep distractions, such as a TV, computer, or pet.

- Going to sleep around the same time each night and waking up around the same time each morning, even on weekends. If possible, avoid night shifts or alternating schedules at work and other causes of irregular sleep schedules.

Both herbal and homeopathic remedies are commonly used alternatives to sleeping tablets in reducing insomnia, and can be very effective in helping to assist an individual in the transition to peaceful slumber without strong sedatives or any concerning side effects.

Certain herbs such as Hypericum perforatum, Scuttelaria laterifolia, Passiflora incarnata can be used to maintain healthy sleep patterns and promote optimal balance of sleep-related hormones involved in the sleep cycle.

Homeopathic remedies such as Coffea C30 and Nux Vom. C30 are also used to reduce insomnia and maintain restful, satisfying, and healthy sleep. Other natural supplements that are widely used to address the underlying causes of chronic insomnia are calcium lactate, magnesium lactate and vitamin B6.

You may get more info here http://www.healthherbsandnutrition.com/remedies/i/insomnia.htm

Hope all this helps

Good Luck
by:
on: 20th January 11

I think i’m an insomniac. I can’t fall asleep until 4 am each night. I always get super anxious at night. Is this something worth going to the doctor over? Do i have insomnia?

Chosen Answer:

You may take a trip to the doctor but pre-diagnosing yourself may be part of the problem. Only a doctor can actually tell you what the problem is. Try getting ready for bed earlier, cut off the tv an hour before you intend to fall asleep. I usually get a book and read until I get sleepy.

Eating before can also cause you to lose sleep.

The less thoughts you have running through your mind the better your body starts to relax. Try that first and if that doesn’t count then you should see a doctor.
by:
on: 24th July 11

I just started taking effexor on Thursday for depression, anxiety, muscle pain, and migraines. Before I started taking it I would always wake up early in the morning (6 to 7 am) and not be able to fall asleep but now I also am waking up about 4 times throughout the night and having a hard time falling back asleep. My question is will this go away after the 1st couple weeks of taking this drug or will I continue having insomnia the whole time?
I have always avoided taking pills but my depression/anxiety got so bad I just lay on the couch and watch tv day from the physical pain it causes me.

Chosen Answer:

I had that too when I first started taking Effexor. After about 10 days my sleeping patterns were back to normal, and after a month the benefits of taking it far outweighed the first couple of weeks of insomnia. If you’re still sleeping badly in a couple of weeks you should see your doctor, as with any other side effects that haven’t gone away by then. God luck!
by: Rain Dogs
on: 20th February 09

Sometimes, humans can be trouble falling asleep when we want to sleep. Whenever humans feel that we need to be asleep, sometimes we have trouble falling asleep.

While insomnia is extremely common in humans, there isn’t much news about dogs, cats or other mammals with trouble falling asleep.

Chosen Answer:

Humans abuse themselves so much more. Look at the crap we eat, look at the lack of exercise we get, look at all of the unhealthy levels of stress we undergo. Animals have a very simple mission: Eat, reproduce, run away from predators, and sleep. If life were that easy for us, we’d all be getting our 8 hours just fine.
by:
on: 17th December 11