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Problems sleeping with depression?

Brent01
Community Member
Hey does anyone else have the same issues as me,i will wake up atleast 4 times a night and the last one which always around 3.30 am i cant get back to sleep for atleast an hour and i start work at 5.30 am each day its ruining me
23 Replies 23

farns
Community Member

Hey Brent, gee this rings a bell.....I have had the same problem except I was waking at around 2am on the dot and struggling to get back to sleep, my next visit to the psychiatrist I told him I needed to change my sleeping pills to a stronger one but making sure they were safe with my Antidepressants and pain medication...that would be my advice to you as I have been pretty good (except last night).:-(

They take a lot on tinkering with from a full tablet to a half depending how you feel, a bit like your medication....as we all know Depression sucks the goodness out of you and makes you very tired and spent so you need as much rest as you can get...A mate I go walking with who has PTSD keeps telling me you need your sleep.....I hope I have been a little bit of help.

Kathryne
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi Brent

Welcome to the BB forums.

Do you know what triggers your waking? Is it worrying that you want wake in time to get to work, noting that you start at 0530.

Do you nap when you come home form work? sometimes a quick thirty minute nap promotes a deep natural sleep .

Natural sleep promoters such as a warm milky drink prior to settling may help you sleep. Good sleep hygiene such as regular set routine which can be broken occasionally of course . Reading or relaxing prior to bed may help you get into that deeper sleep pattern

Regards

Kathyrne

blondguy
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi Brent

I used to have the same wake up routine and it left me drained and exhausted the next day

Farns & Kathryne have given excellent advice on what you are going through.

After a few years of going through what you have I learned that waking up several times a night was as a result of having too much going on in my life as in stressful events...working way too hard...I had some personal problems....family issues...It was all too much and it kept waking me up 3-4 times a night..I was a wreck.

Besides the good advice provided above....check how much you have on your 'plate' during the day and if its too much try to 'lighten the load' which may enable you to start having a quality sleep.

Just a tiny tip for you....avoid any cellphones or ipads at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. Even just a basic mobile phone can stimulate/increase your thought processes and brain activity which is the last thing you need prior to going to bed.

You are more than welcome to post as many times as you wish Brent on any matter

Thankyou for posting too!

Paul

Brent01
Community Member
Hey farns,i just got put on antidepressents so i gathered it was them doing it i havent tried using sleeping pills yet as i get addicted to things quickly so i really didnt want to risk it

Brent01
Community Member
Hey kathryne,well as i have just been diagnosed with anxiety and depression i have noticed since then all i do now is worry and think 24/7,i just got put on antidepressents i thought thats what may be making me wake up but no i dont worry about getting up at all i just wake up out of no where with nausea and just think how much i dont want to go to work etc

Brent01
Community Member
Hey blondguy,stress wise my life is prity ok i have always been a worrier,but i got sick once and that was it anxiety and depression hit am on antidepressents for the last 5 days,so i gathered that was keeping me awake,but i will stop using my phone before bed thats for sure thanks for that

Hi Brent

I would be a hard time for you right now with newly on the AD's and your diagnosis too.

Thankyou for writing back. The mobile phone is an interesting point. Monash University did a sleep study on it last year and even this PC LED screen can 'rev up' the brain.

How have you been feeling?

Paul

Brent01
Community Member
Im getting there day by day some days are better than others but trying to stay positive

Hi Brent,

The minute I started ADs I got insomnia. I heard what you said about the sleep meds but I am wondering if you have tried the natural meds, just melatonin. Perhaps have a chat to your GP or pharmacist about these.

Another option, if you are interested is meditation. My psychologist suggested doing a body scan meditation to help relax before sleep. If you look up palouse mindfulness on the internet you will find the free body scan on the left side menu. There may be other things on that site that can help with the anxiety.

Kind thoughts,

Carol