Help with my insonmia

[lakers178]

Im an 18 year old male. I have always had bouts of insomnia since i was in Middle school. But i have never had a severe insomnia like this one. Well for the last 3 months i have had insomnia. Some days i woldnt be able to sleep and other days i would. On the days i would sleep, i still kinda felt tired throughout the day. I notice that when would sleep i would be waking up every hour or so.

So i google Insomnia and can up with Fatal Familial Insomnia (No family member has had that that i know of) and Sporadic fatal insomnia. ( does not need a family history)

I got really nervous after reading this cuz i think i have one of those.I know its impossble for me to have that but its still in my mind.

Well school started on monday and since sunday i have been getting 3 hours or so of sleep each night. I just cant relax or shut off my mind for a while. I get depressed and anxiety each night knowing im not gonna be able to sleep.

Is this Sporadic Fatal Insomnia, regular insomnia, or chronic insomnia? I have cried because im scared that i could have that.

Plz help me

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, your past symptoms were suggestive of insomnia. It is important to categorize the type of insomnia, which can be done after noting detailed history.  Insomnia usually constitutes impaired daytime function due to difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, chronically nonrestorative sleep, or poor quality sleep.

In your case there is difficulty in onset of sleep, impaired day time function (sleepy whole day) etc. Insomnia is also commonly associated with fatigue or malaise, poor attention or concentration, Social or vocational dysfunction, Mood disturbance and reduced motivation or energy.

It is not a fatal insomnia. Sleep centers are located in hypothalamus of the brain. When some disorder occurs in this area insomnia occurs. Some viral or prions are known to cause fatal insomnia.

The initial steps you need to take is sleep hygiene education, stimulus control, relaxation, sleep restriction, cognitive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, phototherapy, and chronotherapy. These therapies can be prescribed by clinicians at any level but it can be better implemented by sleep specialist.

Medical therapy involves use of benzodiazepines, Nonbenzodiazepines, Melatonin agonist or Diphenhydramine against prescription for short duration.
I suggest you to consult physician/sleep specialist for further management. Take care and regards.

[harrald]

Your description of your sleepless nights mirror what I go through almost each night. I sleep about 4 hours a night. My problem is if I did not wake-up two hours  after I went to sleep, I might sleep longer.  I am writing this answer at 3:41 AM CDT. I wonder whether you have considered your preparation for bed at night has changed? Circadian rhythms are based on a 24-hour day and helps us to become sleepy after we retire for bed. Your rhythms may need to be realigned. Try to follow the same routine each night when you prepare for bed. Your bed is only for sleeping and making love. Do not use your bed for reading, watching TV, etc. The regular routine is suppose to help your become sleepy at about the same time each night. I visited a sleep lab and had electrodes taped to my forehead, and my sleeping rhythms recorded. The lab helped me, but I had a few personal problems and worried at night. I tried an experiment on myself as I lay awake night after night.
I thought of two solid objects to think about and concentrate so no throughts could not pass. The first object was a door knob. Door knobs are so solid  that no throughts could get through. I changed the door knob to a bowling ball because of its size. This worked best for me. Concentrate on the bowling ball and do not let your throughts pass through the ball. Return your thinking to the ball's sides if the thoughts try to move. I became tired of concentrating on the ball so long, I became sleepy. This is only a suggestion.

Scientists who worked at General Electric Lamp Division created a company to sell products that filter the blue light from the Electromagnetic Spectrum( colors of the rainbow, ROY G BIV). The blue light affects the pineal gland in our brain from producing melatonin, the sleep hormone. I wear special glasses three hours before I go to bed so my pineal gland will secrete more melatonin that makes one sleepy. Go to this website and read about the research:  www.lowbluelights.com.

I hope what ever method you use to become sleepy, helps you.

Harrald

[egbrew]

YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING BUT INSOMNIA!  You DO have alot of time to surf the web and the web is a wonderful way to educate yourself. I'm thrilled you are doing that! However, it can be a freak show, of anxiety ridden people by the billions playing off of each other's worst case scenarios. Stay calm, smart and true to what you KNOW and not what "could be".Talk to your parents and doctor and ask for a sleep study. Insomnia is easily treated. Life's too short to fill your time, day or night with fear and negative thoughts. Make the most of whatever time you are awake, even if it's something soothing. Society dictates our sleeping habits. Maybe you were born to work a night shift somewhere, maybe even in medicine, given your enthusiastic learning. Nurture who you are and live your best life!