Anxiety causing Insomnia

[BarbieR]

I’ve come to the realisation that my Anxiety is the cause of my Insomnia or the other way around. I’ve tried everything but prescription medication, and yes, CBT, but I’m in a vicious cycle and I just want some sleep so that I can function and hopefully work on my Anxiety. Is anyone in this rut?!

[Ggrand]

Hello BarbirR,

Welcome to the forums..

Yes I do get into the rut your in very often, I have a few different labels including anxiety and it can keep me awake for a few nights running..

Im on prescription meds, and they help with my anxiety which gets really loud at night..

I started to do meditation and then listen to some calming music on my phone with my ear phones in turned up loud, it helps to block out the constant chatter of my mind, but I do select an instrument I like in the music and fully concerntrate at that...the thoughtscstill come to me but I immediately stop thinking about them and start listening to the music again...a lot of people I’ve read write there thoughts out in a journal before they go to bed..

We have a thread here called sleep..it has so many really good suggestions..maybe you might find some of them beneficial for you...in the search bar on the top of this page search for “sleep”..a lot of people here on the forums have a lot of trouble with their sleep and have been helped by some suggestion there...

We need our sleep as you have said to function properly through the day as well as sleep helps us manage our mh...

I hope you do manage to get some good quality sleep tonight..

Kind thoughts,

Grandy.

[white knight]

Hi Barbie, welcome

GGrand has expressed her first hand knowledge.

There is also a thread I worte some time ago that might help. Use google

Beyondblue topic a good nights deep sleep

I hope that helps.

TonyWK

[IreneM]

HI Barbie

I fell into a similar rut like you not long after I began CBT, and I also had to see my psychiatrist to get some medication to prevent me from going backwards. It worked and as a result I was able to continue the CBT.

Grandy's suggestions on sleep have been so spot on that the only thing I can think of to add is that some exercise can cause your body to release fell good hormones which can also relax you and assist with quality sleep.

My other suggestion would be to have a buffer zone of an hour or two during which you do some relaxation. During this time you should also avoid eating much, otherwise your digestive system will keep you awake.

If I have trouble getting to sleep a warm milk drink can help, milk has got sedative properties which can make you sleepy. Low level pain management can also help to relax you. Lavender oil is helpful too either diffused or just a few drops on your pillow.

Hope this helps

Irene.