So anxious I can't sleep

[OneDay19]

Hello, I am having trouble sleeping because of work. My stomach is writhing and I feel like someone is pressing on both sides of my head. I have to work tomorrow so if I don't sleep I will be really struggling. My work has become much more stressful than I ever expected. If someone said I didn't have to go back I would be extremely relieved aside from letting lots of people down. I really don't want to feel like this because of work. Right now tonight I am trying to find some better ways to calm down so I can sleep and try to keep things in perspective. I'm not feeling optimistic about it.
I have a history of sounding calm and coping until I am so unable to cope I will get sick. I don't feel like people really understand when I try to express what is going on for me because I have history of care taking a really abusive parent and am expert at looking like everything is okay. It's my default mode to the extent that I feel like I am not believed when I say I am stressed. I really need to sleep . . .

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

You have a number of option to get sleep.

Firstly a trip to your GP is essential. You don't know if you have a medical condition that needs attention even for the short to medium term.

Also google these threads and read the first post of each

Beyondblue topic a good nights deep sleep

Beyondblue topic anxiety, how I eliminated it.

In the latter I explain the process of muscle tensioning exercises that I swear by. I'm still doing them just before sleeping as I lie in bed. I started them in 1987!!!

Regards TonyWK

[White_Rose]

Dear OneDay19

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for posting here.

I can talk about ways to calm down but first I want to ask why you are so tense. You sound stressed which is causing these unpleasant symptoms and stopping you sleeping. Being able to relax is a useful skill. Unfortunately it does not address the underlying problem which will resurface and plague you.

I know there are many people who can appear cool, calm and collected to the world while underneath they are a mass of worry and pain. You know the analogy of the duck appearing to swim calmly while paddling frantically underwater. Is it your job that is causing the concern? Is there something else? It sounds as though you have a number of concerns which are being managed by pushing them down (underwater paddling) and pretending all is well.

Sooner or later these problems will escape your control. I think you need some help to sort out the problems, see why they are so important and what you can do about them. Once they escape your friends and family will be in no doubt you are speaking the truth about yourself. Unfortunately it may take a long time for you to recover.

I suggest, as I often do, that you see your GP. Firstly to see if there are any underlying illnesses or conditions to deal with. Probably not but a good idea to get that out of the way. Then chat about your concerns. One major difficulty is having an abusive parent and the effect on you, whether you realise it or not, can be horrendous. It sounds as though you need some professional help to sort out what is happening.

Being relaxed enough to sleep is of course not usually difficult which is why when we cannot sleep we don't know what to do. There are many schools of thought about this. Get up and do something active then go back to bed. Stay in bed and meditate or mentally read a book you have enjoyed. Medication, though I believe this should be a last resort not the first. Go for a walk before going to bed. stay at home and get relaxed in front of the TV. In reality the only way to sleep is to manage those thoughts and feelings that trouble you.

Please talk to your doctor.

Mary

[Red_Robin]

Hello Oneday19 👋

I hope you found rest and life has been kinder to you.

Reading your post gave me a sense of how much pain you are feeling. I am sorry you are experiencing this and do hope it has eased some what for you. . I too am struggling with sleep and work - so anxious about working tomorrow I am feeling like I will vomit.

I thank you for your post and the replies made from Mary and Tony WK- I am going to try some of their suggestions now.

thanking you all,

Red Robin

[White_Rose]

Hello One Day

Dropping by to ask how you are going. We have not heard from you for a couple of days and I wonder if the replies you have received have been helpful. Can you make a short post to tell us what is happening for you.

Mary