sleeplessness

[radsurfer05]

my anxiety causes me to only get a few hours of sleep a night, is this  normal and if so how do I attempt to break the cycle?

[mammo]

Don't go to bed until you are truly tired, do things to relax before beditme that occupy your mind.  Read or watch TV  and just let yourself fall asleep.  If you just lie there you will think too much and this increases your anxiety.  If you wake up in the middle of the night, think of someplace you'd enjoy being like at the ocean, someplace soothing.  Stick with this thought and try to feel the sand beneath your feet, warmth of the sun, the sea breeze, and hear the waves.  This not only relaxes you, it keeps your mind off of things that increase anxiety. Sleeping is a big problem with anxiety sufferers, and many of us take something to help us sleep at night.  I agree that getting into therapy can be very beneficial.  Avoiding caffeine completely is best for people with anxiety. I hope this helps and take care.

[CassCore]

Hello!

Let me tell you from experience this is TOTALLY normal. As a matter of fact...it's 3 AM and I'm awake because of my anxiety right now. I have developed a routine before bedtime now which really seems to help me. I lay in bed, get on my computer, and  play a few games of cards. I go to bed when I start to feel tired. The cards help keep my mind off the anxiety and relaxes me. If this doesn't work I take a warm relaxing bath before bedtime and read. Again the reading takes me mind off the anxiety and the bath calms me down. You might try writing down how you're feeling in a jounal before bedtime. Get all your stress and worries out on pen and paper and leave it there. Everyone is different, but seeing a psychologist for therapy is often beneficial to many many people. Try not to drink caffiene to close to bedtime as well :) Hope this helps some...