Anxiety and insomnia can keep you awake

Anxiety caused by insomnia, or worrying about not sleeping, is guaranteed to keep you awake. This is not the typical stress that can be alleviated by relaxation exercises or deep breathing (although these might help). Anxiety about insomnia is best tackled by keeping the mind focused on something else. As I have recommended to so many people, listen to a instructional CD with a talking voice after turning out the lights and simply listen to the CD. This works well to take your mind out of worry and is the best free remedy I have found for anxiety and insomnia.

Here is a reader’s question on this subject…

Hi

I have suffered from insomnia for 13 years! I tried every sleeping pill but never worked well. In 2005, MD put me on 50mg seroquel at night and I had been getting the best sleep ever! Last summer I got anxiety (don’t know if it was stress,or not) and I got insomnia again. The worst part is the REALLY BAD anxiety I get over worrying whether I will sleep. The minute I can’t sleep,the anxiety starts. Last summer the MD put me on cymbalta in morning and continue seroquel before bed. Also gave me clonazepam for night until cymbalta kicked in. A month ago,I weaned off cymbalta but now I am feeling anxiety come back and worrying about sleep again. I am taking the clonazepam again to sleep frequently with the seroquel. In a nutshell,what the heck do you do for anxiety caused by not sleeping!? ———

Hi

You are on some pretty powerful medications. I certainly would advise against stopping any of these suddenly. They can actually affect the balance of chemicals in the brain, which is probably why you have been prescribed them in the first place.

I am going to send you to the best article I have read on this type of situation. Please read it a few times until you fully understand it (it’s quite long). Then I would search for a natural doctor who also has medical training who should be able to help unwind you from this drug cocktail and get you sleeping properly again. Here is the URL:

http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Remedies-for-Neurotransmitter-Imbalance—Anxiety,-Depression-and-Insomnia&id=6218054

It would be wrong of me to advise you any further at this point. My training is in holistic health and not medical. However I can reassure you that you can get back to your natural sleep patterns. Many people have been in this situation and have overcome it and you can too.

Please let me know how you go. I will also post this question in the blog so others may benefit. I hope that’s OK.

Wendy

                          

For starters, begin each evening without the presumption that you are going to sleep that night. That might seem like you’re putting yourself in the wrong head-space before the game, but, in fact, by doing this you are removing the pressure put on yourself to get the sleep that you crave so much. If you go into the situation with the mindset that sleep is a bonus, then you are less likely to be anxious about the idea of not sleeping. After all, if it’s been an ongoing problem, another sleepless night will not be anything you’re unfamiliar with. You don’t want to try to force sleep.

Generally speaking there are two main reasons why people experience loss of sleep at night (other than the loud neighbors or snoring spouses, of course). Basically there is physical discomfort, and worry (or least the inability to stop thinking about…stuff). Our main focus here is the latter. No matter what is going through your mind as you try to sleep, eventually the main issue is the frustration and anxiety experienced because of the lack of sleep.

One way to combat the issue of your racing mind is to simply give yourself a good physical workout relatively close to bedtime ( I know…the last thing you want to hear). Circumstances permitting, an outdoor workout is even better. Of course, some of us have physical limitations that will hinder our ability to do this, but the more physical activity the better. If you’re just plain beat, your body’s exhaustion will likely win out over your brain’s tendency to stay awake.

Something else that is helpful is avoiding things like caffeine, nicotine, and even alcohol several hours before going to bed. I know, caffeine and nicotine maybe, but alcohol? To be sure, alcohol can help you get to sleep, but it often causes sleep issues after a few hours. There’s nothing like waking up at 3:30 AM to use the restroom only to get back in bed and watch three more hours pass on the clock as you obsess about your inability to fall back asleep.

Also, don’t be afraid to keep a log or at least a notepad by the bed to jot down your thoughts, feelings, and ideas as they go through your head. If your mind is crammed with anxious thoughts and worries, it’s good to get them out. By writing them down you accomplish a couple things. One, you simply release them from your brain. Two, you put your mind at ease because you know something that you may find pressing or urgent will be remembered the next morning, therefore releasing your brain from the responsibility of focusing on it when you should be sleeping.

Another good one is to try to stay awake. As you do, recall times when you simply had to stay awake and alert. It probably won’t take much to bring back those memories and feelings of desperation to sleep. As you recall these times, imagine how fatigued your body felt, how heavy your eyes felt, and how all you could think of was getting into bed. You might even try telling yourself, mentally, that you need to get up right now and exercise or clean the kitchen. This can often do wonders in adjusting one’s attitude about how comfy that bed really is.

Now, you might be saying “why not take a sleeping pill?” Well, that might work for you for awhile, but at what point do you say “Dang, I can’t sleep without these darned pills!” and start looking for permanent solutions?

Overall, the main point in combating insomnia caused by anxiety is to not fight it. The more you struggle against it, the more anxious you become. Turn the tables on your own unruly mind and be free to be free.

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There are a number of factors that can contribute to having a restless night’s sleep. Sometimes a mild environmental factor, such as an overly warm temperature can contribute to having difficulty falling asleep. Of course, there can also be a number of serious factors that can contribute to sleep disorders.

The sleep disorders depression anxiety connection is not one to be taken lightly as the inability to sleep or maintain solid sleeping patterns is often connected with serious underlying psychological and psychiatric problems. Many people can suffer from the affects of disorders for years because of their refusal to deal with certain mental problems.

There is an unfortunate stigmatism associated with mental disorders in that people will think that others will think they are “crazy” if they find out they have a mental condition. The fact is that a lot of people suffer from mental problmes, and many that do live very normal day to day lives because they have educated themselves and learned to cope with their problem.

Understanding Sleep Disorders Depression Anxiety and Their Connection

There are a number of serious psychiatric conditions that can exist beneath the surface of sleeping disorders. Bipolar disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Behavior, etc can all contribute to the myriad of sleep disorders. Also, it must be noted that sleep disorders do not always refer to the inability to fall asleep. Some sleeping disorders that cause anxiety and depression involve sleeping too much, or the inability to stay awake.

In some cases, the inability to stay awake can later be combined with the inability to fall asleep as well. This is common in bipolar sleep disorders depression, anxiety combinations. As such, proper treatment will be required in order to offset such problems.

Proper Treatment of Sleep Disorders Depression Anxiety

The best way to treat these conditions would be to try several natural sleep remedies such as exercising more throughout the day, watching your intake of alcohol, caffeine, and sugar, and getting yourself in a sleep routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time every night and morning. Try drinking night time formulated organic tea. You can find it at your local health food store.

You also should learn the deep breathing techniques of meditation. Yoga can be a great way to learn to relax and breath properly. These techniques are all helpful in combating depression and anxiety.

If natural remedies do not work, and you feel that lack of sleep is severely affecting your life, have a complete examination by a psychiatrist. If the psychiatrist notes that a serious sleep depression anxiety problem is present, then the psychiatrist will devise a solid out patient prescription care program that will alleviate the problems. Far too often, people will attempt to self-medicate with over the counter stimulants and/or sleeping aids.

Many over the counter sleep products lack therapeutic value and do not truly address the serious underlying condition of insomnia. As such, proper medical care is of the utmost importance. Of course, in order to do this the patient must himself realize that a serious problem may exist.

Sleep insomnia and its side effects such as depression and anxiety can be very debilitating to our lives. However, there are alternative ways to solve the problem once you educate yourself about yourself and your conditions.

Also, you need to believe that your lack of sleep is a temporary situation that you can fix. You won’t fix any problems unless mentally you believe that is can be done.

Hopefully you can naturally get rid of your sleep disorders depression and anxiety. If your depression and anxiety become very serious, your sleep disorder may require medical attention and medication.

                          

Depression and worry can take a colossal toll on your life – your relationships, your occupation, and most importantly, your own sense of well-being are all extremely affected by these ordinary emotional disorders. Even with prescription medications, these conditions are often complicated to control; at least 80% of those who make use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs still report bad symptoms related to their condition.

The good news is that, thanks to a modern treatment method known as cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES), you can feel real relief from your depression, anxiety or insomnia. With the Alpha-Stim electro-stimulator, you can treat your symptoms at home, while you rest, in only 20 to 60 minutes a day.

* The Alpha-Stim SCS

The Alpha-Stim SCS is a hand-held tool which delivers a low-intensity electric microcurrent to the brain by the use of small electrodes, which are attached to the earlobes. This low-level electrical current is similar to the natural electrical impulses produced by the brain. You may feel a slight itchy sensation where the electrodes come in contact with your skin; this is not dangerous, nor is it essential to feel this to achieve positive results.

The CES device can be used while you are working at each day tasks or simply relaxing with a book or a good picture; it produces a relaxed, yet alert state during use. Lots of individuals who have tried cranial electrotherapy stimulation experience an almost immediate reduction in their anxiety and stress levels; the CES typically provides relief from anxiety, depression and sleeplessness within 1 to 2 weeks of daily treatment.

* Are there any side effects?

The great majority of users report only positive effects from the CES. In some cases, users have reported skin irritation, dizziness, or headaches. The CES may produce insomnia for a short time after use due to its stimulating effect, so it is vital not to use it within 3 hours of bedtime.

* Is cranial electrotherapy stimulation FDA approved?

CES has been subjected to a wide range of scientific investigation, and there is overwhelming evidence that it can relieve sleeplessness, depression and anxiety when used as directed. The FDA has approved the Alpha-Stim machine for use in treating these and other stress-induced conditions.

If you are overwhelmed by anxiety or depression, or if sleeplessness is affecting your ability to function normally, you do not need to suffer. Talk to a mental health professional about using the Alpha-Stim CES to relieve your symptoms and aid you to enjoy life once again.

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