Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

Geek Culture / Officially an insomniac.

Author
Message
Oolite
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 28th Sep 2005
Location: Middle of the West
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 08:19 Edited at: 10th Mar 2009 08:26
Link
Bit of backstory first. For the past 6 months i have had difficulty sleeping, up to 4 hours a night at best, and its usually restless. Doctors put it down to stress or any form of anxiety and prescribed me with some sedatives(if i can dig out the bottle i'll find the name for them). These worked ok for the first week or so, before i started having massively disturbing nightmares with the inability to wake up. They ranged from the completely abstract shapes and colours (the ones you kind of get from sleeping with a nicotine patch in, try it. I got freaky ass dreams from it, not sure if its common) to disturbing and horrible things i was doing to family or friends. Regardless of this, i powered through and continued to take them, after another week or so, for some reason, they stopped having any effect on putting me to sleep, they made me groggy for a couple of hours at best but did not help with me falling to sleep.
I'll just throw this in here, i've tried massive amounts of exercise(physical and mental stress to tire me out) and this didn't work. Also tried hypnotherapy, although i'm sure you have to believe in this stuff for it to work and i've always been a skeptic.
Now to the present.
Over the past two weeks its been particularly bad however, last week i got 3 nights sleep (again, 4-5 hours restless sleep at best). Tonight is my third night of no sleep. Its 6:17am (at time of writing) and i don't feel sleepy, tired and worn out yeah, but not sleepy although I've spent the past 6 hours trying to get to sleep. Its becoming worrying, all i can do is try and do something productive during my sleepless nights. I'm hoping the complete lack of sleep is a phase and isn't going to become a persistant thing. I shall be off to the docs soon however.
Just posting this purely because i needed to clear my head and ask if anyone has ever experienced anything like this before, if they have any advice for me that would be spiffy aswell.

Cheers.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
Virtual Nomad
Moderator
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 14th Dec 2005
Location: SF Bay Area, USA
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 09:18
Link
brother, that sounds like some rough times. and, while i've had similar experience, it's never been for as long as you've been dealing with this. since the meds stopped working, i hope you've stopped taking them. and, while exercise can be helpful, don't do it to excess because, with the lack of sleep, you're going to be swapping 1 problem with another (or compounding both) since your body simply can't recover from it. it will begin to take damage which could be irreparable. and, whatever you do, focus on the benefits of it OTHER than trying to fall asleep. by that i mean, say, the exercise. maybe it's something you've been lacking and now is the time do to it for the right reasons. it might sound silly, but keeping it strictly a positive in your mind vs "something i just want to do to fall asleep" won't let your mind rest, relax, and recover like it needs to regularly (and this doesn't mean only when you're asleep).

also, "those freaky ass dreams" are very common. been there, done that, many times over. i chalk them up to pure exhaustion i've felt in the past. my situations were due to a terrible work schedule, being on call 24/7, working too much, never having regular sleep habits, and skipping days on end.

the best advice i can give is keep your chin up and stay positive. don't let yourself dwell on this phase you're going through. and, that is what you're experiencing; a "phase", for lack of a better term. i would also suggest some herbal remedies like St. John's Wort. my ex is a real insomniac, and she swore by it. i saw it's value first hand so i can suggest it here (i'm also NOT a fan of pharmeceudicals for the most part).

and, i know i've probably not been much help, but knowing some stranger across the sea is pulling for you might be of some comfort.

Virtual Nomad @ California, USA
AMD Phenom™ X4 9750 Quad-Core @ 2.4 GHz . 8 GB PC2-6400 RAM
ATI Radeon HD 3650 @ 512 MB . Vista Home Premium 64 Bit
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Van B
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 09:19
Link
Well without putting a downer on you, it sounds like your somewhat depressed. Depression in whatever degree causes insomnia, your head is full of negative thoughts, and when you try to sleep you just keep playing out those situations. I get this when I'm under a lot of stress, and it's terrible I know. You haven't mentioned those negative thoughts for reasons I can understand, but just know that I get them too, your not alone!.

I think the best thing to do is firstly get something to eat, this always helps me sleep and also get up in the morning, if your body is not starved you'll have a lot of energy in left over to get you up. I'm not talking about anything fancy, I tend to have a bowl of cereal before sleeping every night and it has made the world of difference, something sugary like Sugar Puffs or Frosties. Seriously, I'd do this before taking any sort of medication.

The other thing is actually taking your mind off those horrible thoughts, I read, or I play my DS when I can't sleep. Really anything that will occupy your mind long enough to get through. It's because your brain has nothing to occupy it when trying to sleep that the problems start.

Dealing with your stress level itself is vital though, speak to human resources at work if possible, explain that you are under stress and try and look to the causes. Often just ranting about it to a trustworthy colleague can help a lot. The most important thing is to have a way through the stuff that is causing the stress, something to look forward to that will take you away from it for a bit (a holiday), or a plan at work to deal with the issues. If you have a clear path out of it then you'll be much more resilient.


Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Toasty Fresh
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 10th Jun 2007
Location: In my office, making poly-eating models.
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 09:27
Link
Quote: "They ranged from the completely abstract shapes and colours (the ones you kind of get from sleeping with a nicotine patch in, try it. I got freaky ass dreams from it, not sure if its common) to disturbing and horrible things i was doing to family or friends."


Wow. I feel sorry for you dude.

I saw this thing on the tellie once, a documentary on sleepwalking. Was really creepy, this bloke was sleepwalking, and while he was, he stabbed a relative to death, without even knowing it.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Grandma
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Dec 2005
Location: Norway, Guiding the New World Order
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 10:55
Link
Personally, I would see it as an opportunity to get some work done on whatever projects you have. You sleep when you're dead. At least, that's the satisfyingly optimistic viewpoint you should have in any situation. It never fails to keep me up, being annoyingly optimistic. Then again, I'm a level 83 optimist. If my family was crushed by a meteor, I'd worry about which piece of meteor bits to add to my rare rocks collection before anyone else runs off with them.

This message was brought to you by Grandma industries.

Making yesterdays games, today!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Toasty Fresh
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 10th Jun 2007
Location: In my office, making poly-eating models.
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 11:39
Link
Wow. You're very humanitarian.

Quote: "Personally, I would see it as an opportunity to get some work done on whatever projects you have. You sleep when you're dead."


Yeah, that strangely came to me as well. At first, Oolite said
Quote: "and i don't feel sleepy, tired and worn out "
at which point I thought 'wow, cool! I could stay up all night and do pointless crap for another 8-odd hours! 14-day weeks FTW!'.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Chris K
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 7th Oct 2003
Location: Lake Hylia
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 12:26
Link
If you can't get to sleep I find it useful to do something that you can satisfyingly complete, then try again. This can be cooking and eating some spaghetti bolognese, or watching a film or something.

After that you are normally happier from having a nice meal/watching a good film and also you don't have anything lingering to keep you up. If you just eat snacks/do some programming then there is no closure.

Just make sure you don't start setting up fight clubs in other cities

-= Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals =-
Back to top
Profile PM
soapyfish
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Oct 2003
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 13:10 Edited at: 10th Mar 2009 13:22
Link
EDIT:: If you haven't tried it yet >> http://www.pzizz.com/ from the homepage it looks like it's Mac only but there is a Windows version on the downloads page. I've never tried it properly but have known about it for a while, I might just give it a go now you've reminded about it.

If I can't sleep it's because I'm farting about on the internet at 3am. I'm sure I read that it takes the brain about an hour to start shutting down after getting of the computer because that's something that keeps the brain quite active. I often fall asleep when reading or watching t.v. but never when browsing the intertubes.

I envy people who can sleep when they want to just by shutting their eyes. I never choose to sleep I just eventually nod off when my body can't do anything else. It gets to the stage where I am going to fall asleep whether I want to or not.

I often fall asleep when listening to an audiobook on long journeys so if I'm struggling to get to sleep I try sticking my ipod in but it doesn't work when I'm actively trying to nod off. I concentrate too much on what's being read and if I do start snoozing it ends up waking me up again after a few minutes.

Have you had a google about how your diet could affect your sleep? Just something to think about if you haven't already.

Good luck, hope it all gets sorted.


Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Grandma
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Dec 2005
Location: Norway, Guiding the New World Order
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 13:27 Edited at: 10th Mar 2009 14:19
Link
Quote: "Wow. You're very humanitarian"

Don't get me wrong, I would be saddened, but it would be overshadowed by my immense enjoyment of adding another piece to my collection. Focusing on the good side of things doesn't mean I'm bad, just optimistic. Though people like to confuse the two since people usually don't focuse _that_ much on the good side. I might be an inverse-emo.

As for not being able to sleep, I get that sometimes. Doesn't bother me as I get to do more stuff. Doing more stuff makes me sleepier, so hey, it all works out.

This message was brought to you by Grandma industries.

Making yesterdays games, today!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
BatVink
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Apr 2003
Location: Gods own County, UK
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 16:00
Link
Not a cure-all, but start writing things down.

I had a phase of not sleeping much, and when I did it wasn't the kind of sleep that refreshes you. I realised that my mind was constantly churning things over. So I wrote everything that I needed to deal with down - everything from paying a bill to having a conversation with someone, watching the next episode of a favourite TV program and remembering to check my phone was charged.

It worked for me. Once I had gone through the process of writing it down, my mind could switch off. Getting it done was irrelevant, getting it off my mind onto paper was the cure.

What's more, I have realised just how much more efficient I can be by writing stuff down. Debugging a niggling bug in my next application is a finely-tuned process now Whatever thoughts I have on the issue go down on paper, so I can concentrate on the now, rather than on the next 30 minutes.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
bitJericho
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 19:07
Link
I'm sure your doctor's already covered this, but stop taking in any caffeine and see if that helps.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Oolite
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 28th Sep 2005
Location: Middle of the West
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 21:06 Edited at: 10th Mar 2009 21:07
Link
Virtual Nomad: Cheers mate, means a lot. I don't overexercise myself on purpose any more, stick to my daily routine to keep healthy and thats about it. I've been recommended St Johns Wort by my housemate and her boyfriend. He boyfriend went through it really badly a few years back and went into a heavy phase of depression, he told me this improved his sleep ten fold and i should give it a bash. I'm not really one for drugs (even herbal ones) but i'm up for anything at this point.
Van: I've been at the hospital all day having tests being done (do they really need to take blood for insomnia/depression related syndromes? I thought that was weird) and the doctor seems to think depression is what is causing it and i've been referred to a specialist for next week (is it right to leave it a week if you believe someone is clinically depressed?) You pretty much hit the nail on the head. I could skim the surface of the thoughts, but i think about so many things its just impossible. A few years back i had a long term serious (baby and marriage talk, the full whack) relationship. She was a huge part of my life and it took me a good few months of slagging around to stop thinking about her. Until last night i had not had a single thought cross my mind about her. I started picking out the little squabbles which didn't mean anything and deeming that i was at fault for everything, stupid i know. I know i'm over her, i'm in a happy relationship now and i know i wouldn't ever go back with her again. So why would i be thinking like this? Thats just an example but as you can see, its pointless thinking that just ultimately gets me more depressed.
Quote: "Dealing with your stress level itself is vital though, speak to human resources at work if possible, explain that you are under stress and try and look to the causes. Often just ranting about it to a trustworthy colleague can help a lot. The most important thing is to have a way through the stuff that is causing the stress, something to look forward to that will take you away from it for a bit (a holiday), or a plan at work to deal with the issues. If you have a clear path out of it then you'll be much more resilient."

Already on track with that mate, problem being is that i work freelance and can't deal with human resources, upside is that i can choose when i work. Although its been a little dry lately (adding to my stress) all i can do is try and build up my portfolio a bit. I used to teach computer animation at a private training institute before i made the bold decision to quit and go to university. Freelance is the only way i can pay myself through it at the moment.
Soapyfish: Before the nasty sleep patterns i went through a stage of relying on some form of entertainment(DS, Book, Audiobook or TV) to get to sleep, now it just doesn't seem to work. I've also tried adjusting my diet and eating patterns to help it, with no good results(Heck, i even got the misssus to put me on a pure vegetarian diet, because she is vegetarian herself. That wasn't fun.). I even made the decision just before christmas to cut all caffeine out of my diet, coffee and cigarettes were my two greatest vices but i had to cut the coffee out to see if it helped. Apparently it did not, but i'm trying not to antagonise the situation even more by drinking it again.
BatVink: My housemate suggested that, so i'm going to start tonight, thought i'd mix it up a little and write a few songs about what i'm feeling. Might even get a few game/short film ideas from it.

Cheers for the comments guys. It didn't matter how much i told myself before, my brain insisted i was the only one with this problem so its nice to know that i'm not the only one who has ever gone through this problem.
I'll report back to see how things work out.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
Van B
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 21:42
Link
I know what you mean about the sheer amount of crud that goes through your head when it's like that, I mean it's almost like your subconscious is wide awake and laying into you. It's good to know that your dealing with it, and I think this will make all the difference, just knowing that there are people who want to help you. I think that although we all have different ways of dealing with it, actually doing something about it is key - it's easy to dwell and just hope that things get better.

A friend of mine suffers depression quite deeply, but he bottles it up and just explodes sometimes, often in a very self destructive way. He's on medication now and swears by it. I'm in the same opinion as you about being medicated, but if it gets that bad I'd certainly consider it. If your doctor thinks that medication is the answer, then perhaps he's right, but we'd hope that filling a prescription is their last option.

Just remember that you are in control, if life hands you lemons, ram them down it's throat.


Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
bitJericho
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 22:03
Link
Some other things to try out. Exercising right before bed can actually keep you from going to sleep. Try exercising a few hours before you go to bed, if you're currently exercising. Also, watching tv in bed is not good. You might find it easier to read for an hour or two and then go to bed. I find that that helps the most, as it clears my mind of all worries, and when you finish reading for the night, it gives you something unimportant to think about when you're falling asleep.

I'd read something fictional though. When I read something educational it keeps me up for hours while I toss around the possibilities

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Xenocythe
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th May 2005
Location: You Essay.
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 22:28
Link
Whenever I have trouble going to sleep, I pick up my MP3 player and find a song that really fits my mood. Most of the time, the first song is something heavy, mean, hard rock ish because it's something angry or depressing that is keeping me up. Continue that process for a while, and naturally you'll end up listening to the light, happy songs on your playlist. By this point, I am sleepy too, so I fall right asleep when I put my MP3 player away.

Meh, works for me.


Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Monk
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 25th Sep 2008
Location: Standing in the snow =D
Posted: 10th Mar 2009 23:27 Edited at: 10th Mar 2009 23:29
Link
I havent any idea what might help cos ive been lucky enough to be able to sleep at nights, but im not sure whether making all those changes in diet, routine ect will actually help much... I mean they may be upsetting your body by changing too much stuff at once...

Ever tried spending ten mins sitting on the comfiest couch in the house listening to nice relaxing music and just meditating there...
If you struggle not to think of anything, think of the stuff youre glad you did today and redo it in your head. I tend to find that if you concentrate on summat in your head, then you pay less attention to the world, and that makes it easier to sleep....
Basically anything that you can zone into, a book, a good playlist you like should make it easier to sleep.

Just some thoughts...

Back to top
Profile PM
Oolite
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 28th Sep 2005
Location: Middle of the West
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 03:34
Link
Quote: "A friend of mine suffers depression quite deeply, but he bottles it up and just explodes sometimes, often in a very self destructive way. He's on medication now and swears by it. I'm in the same opinion as you about being medicated, but if it gets that bad I'd certainly consider it. If your doctor thinks that medication is the answer, then perhaps he's right, but we'd hope that filling a prescription is their last option."

As i've said before, i do dislike taking medication for anything (i'm quite stubborn like that) so i do hope it will be a last resort for me. I do tend to keep things bottled up though, i've been feeling this depressed for over a month and when i told people, they were shocked. So I suppose that proves that. I've been sitting down and talking with friends and thats helping me, i just need to see a few people from my past and clear my head with them. For my benefit, not theirs.

I've tried reading and listening to music plenty of times, none of it seems to work. Its 1:24am here and i'm not yet feeling sleepy, going to go lie in bed now and try and rest my head. If i can't, i'll be back on here in a couple of hours, moaning probably.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
Robert F
User Banned
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 03:57
Link
I have been down lately to. Except for me normally I always feel tired and now I am just never tired. I wake up for school, not tired at all. I can go to bed at like 3:00am and wake up at 4:00am and just not be tired at all. I dont know why.

Hope you start getting some sleep.


shes a brick HOUSE!
Back to top
Profile
Insanity Complex
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 16th Sep 2005
Location: Home
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 04:25
Link
Quote: "Cheers for the comments guys. It didn't matter how much i told myself before, my brain insisted i was the only one with this problem so its nice to know that i'm not the only one who has ever gone through this problem."


I went through a very similar problem myself. Last year in fact. I was severely depressed, to my knowledge for no reason(although I know that there is something that was unresolved bugging me), and it comes back sometimes, but not nearly the force it was last year about this time. I lost around 80lbs(rarely ate), slept 3 hours max each night(entirely dreamless for months), mostly stayed up feeling exhausted and depressed, and the thing my mom thinks is most relevant is that I went through my daily life in a monotonous, robot type fashion. Everything scheduled was handled, nothing extra was done. I didn't have the energy or motivation to do anything other than what was necessary. It was during this time that I started to take Melatonin(click if unfamiliar with it, especially the part relating to the Circadian rythm), and it allowed me to fall asleep, generally bumping up my minimum hours of sleep to 4-6, and I was reliant on it to sleep at all from roughly late March->early September or so. Also, I started to force myself to eat at least twice a day, because that was a large problem I had while encountering the depression. This seemed to help somewhat. Also, as much as people knock it for the negative side effects, smoking helped me to clear my head and also made it easier to eat and keep food down. The final, and probably most important thing that pulled me through it, helped me sleep at night, was to talk to people I trusted. This was mainly my mom and girlfriend. I explained to them exactly what I was feeling, as best as I could, and we all tried to figure out why I was feeling that way, and although I never really came to know why, it helped me through it. Thus so far, it hasn't truly gone away, it keeps me up some nights, but it's definitely in check a lot better, and I don't have to take the melatonin to sleep anymore. I don't know if any of this could help you, but if your experience is even remotely similar, perhaps it can.


www.aeriagames.com <-They have some decent ones
Back to top
Profile PM Email
tiresius
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 13th Nov 2002
Location: MA USA
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 07:09
Link
I'm not generally depressed but when my kid was a baby I didn't get much sleep and was stressed out quite a bit by the whole experience. I hope you can find sleep at some point because eventually you may start to hallucinate and it can get dangerous. I was up late one night "rocking the baby" and my wife walked up to me and after I whispered for her to be quiet because she might wake him, she told me I was holding a pillow. It took several seconds for me to realize that I was. Still freaks me out thinking about it to this day.

Anyway good luck man I hope you find sleep.

I'm not a real programmer but I play one with DBPro!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Oolite
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 28th Sep 2005
Location: Middle of the West
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 16:27
Link
I'm happy to say that i got sleep from 7 to 11 this morning, feeling a little better on the energy side but still feeling down overall. The only thing i can do for now is wait around until i can see that specialist next week. If he diagnoses the problem i'll have a better chance of fixing it, rather than doing it without help. I'm usually too stubborn to go to the doctor for anything but this is ultimately very worrying.
Sounds like rough times for you IC. Now that you mention it, I have lost some weight and muscle mass in general, i just don't have the appetite to eat and whenever i do i can never finish a meal. The only solice in eating is knowing that after meal cigarette i'm going to have. Its good to hear you got over it though, i'm not expecting this to be easy but the only thing i can do right now is try to keep my spirits up.

Back to top
Profile PM Website
Insanity Complex
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 16th Sep 2005
Location: Home
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 22:28
Link
Quote: "I have lost some weight and muscle mass in general, i just don't have the appetite to eat and whenever i do i can never finish a meal"


Yeah, my main advice on that would be, even if you really don't want to, the bottom line is that you have to force yourself to eat. Just remember it'll do you good, and the ciggie after will truly help you keep it down, at least it did for me.


www.aeriagames.com <-They have some decent ones
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Grandma
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Dec 2005
Location: Norway, Guiding the New World Order
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 22:37
Link
I've read that you really shouldn't eat if you're not hungry as you would gradually lose that natural ability to "feel" hunger. Though in some cases, I'm sure an exception or two can be made.

This message was brought to you by Grandma industries.

Making yesterdays games, today!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Insanity Complex
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 16th Sep 2005
Location: Home
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 22:39 Edited at: 11th Mar 2009 22:40
Link
Quote: "I've read that you really shouldn't eat if you're not hungry as you would gradually lose that natural ability to "feel" hunger."


In my case I would have easily starved to death if I only ate when I was hungry. I went a couple days during that without eating(at no point feeling hungry) before people started getting on my back and making sure I ate at least once a day. One of the exceptions you referred to I suppose


www.aeriagames.com <-They have some decent ones
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Grandma
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Dec 2005
Location: Norway, Guiding the New World Order
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 22:49 Edited at: 11th Mar 2009 22:50
Link
Quote: "In my case I would have easily starved to death if I only ate when I was hungry. I went a couple days during that without eating(at no point feeling hungry) before people started getting on my back and making sure I ate at least once a day. One of the exceptions you referred to I suppose"

Oh wow, okay, that's not good. A couple of days?
And I thought I was damaged. I can skip dinner + evening-meal and not get hungry until next morning WOW!

This message was brought to you by Grandma industries.

Making yesterdays games, today!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Lukas W
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Sep 2003
Location: Sweden
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 23:29
Link
Most of these posts were too long for me to read through so I don't really know what I'm diving into, but.

Van B you said Depression in whatever degree causes insomnia. In my point of view, it is the other way around. Although I have no scientific background or reference to prove it, it just seems more logical.

But anyway Oolite, You are the complete opposite of me:
Whenever I go to bed I fall asleep almost instantly. I get drowsy in the middle of the day, having trouble to stay focused on a certain task (like listening to someone talk) because I just drift off into my own world aww:S

But the funny thing is, I can't seem to dream. Or probably more likely I can't seem to remember them -but it sounds cooler to say I don't dream!

So this leaves me waking up and feeling just the way I did when I got to bed the day before. Only slightly more annoyed as I yet again fail remember what I dreamed about.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Freddy 007
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Posted: 11th Mar 2009 23:49 Edited at: 11th Mar 2009 23:50
Link
I'm sorry for your troubles Oolite. You should try watching this movie called Fight Club by David Fincher. The main character suffers from insomnia, but finds a rather untraditional way of dealing with it

On a more serious note; some times I have trouble sleeping as well, although my problem is nowhere near as serious as yours sounds to be. I've found that boredom and repetition can help me fall asleep. When I read a history book or a book on German grammar, I fall asleep within minutes. Also, watching the same movie until I can remember all the lines off the top of my head also seems to help. When I watch a movie I know by heart, I can turn the TV off and kind of 'watch' the movie in my head, just by listening to the sound coming from my speakers. That way my brain doesn't get bombarded with visual information from my eyes, so it's easier to relax and fall asleep. It works for me, so perhaps you could try it out. What's the worst that could happen?

Hope you'll get better soon.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Robert F
User Banned
Posted: 12th Mar 2009 05:50
Link
Quote: "Oh wow, okay, that's not good. A couple of days?
And I thought I was damaged. I can skip dinner + evening-meal and not get hungry until next morning WOW!"


I skip breakfast about 6/7 days a week, I can skip lunch to. Im not ever really hungry until around 6 o' clock.


shes a brick HOUSE!
Back to top
Profile
Yodaman Jer
User Banned
Posted: 12th Mar 2009 08:09
Link
Oolite, I'm sorry to hear this has been happening to you. I agree; when one is clinically depressed, why should the doctors make you wait a week for an appointment with a specialist? That isn't fair.

I have never really suffered from mass amounts of insomnia, but I did have a bit about three years ago when I was 14. Even then it was only for about a week and I quickly recovered, but it was miserable during the time that I had it. At first I couldn't figure out why I had insomnia. I wasn't depressed or anything, and I was eating properly, I just could never get comfortable in my bed and fall to sleep. Towards the end of the week I decided to try and go sleep downstairs on the couch. I fell asleep pretty quickly, despite the couch being somewhat small. I then realized that my mattress hadn't been replaced in at least eight years and so my father went and bought a new one. That solved the problem pretty quickly, and insomnia quickly vanished.



Check out my programming blog!
Back to top
Profile
Van B
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 12th Mar 2009 10:15
Link
Quote: "Van B you said Depression in whatever degree causes insomnia. In my point of view, it is the other way around. Although I have no scientific background or reference to prove it, it just seems more logical."


Hmmm, funny how doctors don't side with your point of view. Maybe I can afford an opinion on this. Not that it will change your mind, but depression causes your mind to work overtime, going through negative thoughts over and over - especially when you have no distractions, like when trying to sleep. Logic does not come into it. I CAN back this up.

Do yourself a favor, read entire threads before commenting on them. Especially the bits where Oolite says I hit the nail on the head, and that ''the doctor seems to think depression is what is causing it'' bit.


Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Oolite
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 28th Sep 2005
Location: Middle of the West
Posted: 12th Mar 2009 16:04
Link
I'll respond to you all later, i need to rush off now. Just have to say:
Quote: "Do yourself a favor, read entire threads before commenting on them. Especially the bits where Oolite says I hit the nail on the head, and that ''the doctor seems to think depression is what is causing it'' bit."

That made me laugh.


I'll finish them whenever i can be bothered.
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Lukas W
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Sep 2003
Location: Sweden
Posted: 12th Mar 2009 18:55
Link
Ouch! I will do that from now on. Or not comment at all if I can't bother to read.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
soapyfish
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Oct 2003
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posted: 12th Mar 2009 19:05
Link
Good to know you're starting to get some answers Oolite, I hope it all gets sorted out.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
GICO
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 22nd Jun 2004
Location: Probably watching The Monkey Show
Posted: 13th Mar 2009 00:01
Link
Quote: "
Hmmm, funny how doctors don't side with your point of view. Maybe I can afford an opinion on this. Not that it will change your mind, but depression causes your mind to work overtime, going through negative thoughts over and over - especially when you have no distractions, like when trying to sleep. Logic does not come into it. I CAN back this up.
"


While it is true that depression cause insomnia, there are some special cases too. I went through a clinical depression about a year ago, and i spent most of the time sleeping.

With that being said, Oolite, i can't really give you advice on falling asleep, but i can tell you that you need to find the cause of your issues. I haven't found the cause of my depression yet, and my doctor has given up basically. I am not depressed at all anymore, but i do have alot of rage bottled up instead.

I hope you'll start to feel better soon.

Give food, give give!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Oolite
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 28th Sep 2005
Location: Middle of the West
Posted: 13th Mar 2009 16:37
Link
So last night i had a talk with my course tutor at uni (he used to work for Aardman and he's a sound guy) about my lack of attendance. I explained my situation and it turned out he had been in the same situation as me before. He is allowing me a bit of space (as long as i get my work done) regarding lectures so i have freedom to come and go while i'm still in this state. Really respect him for doing that.
Lukas: I can't remember the days when i've ever been able to do that. Aside from the depression, i'm more glad to be in my state, not a huge fan of sleep in general.
Freddy: Turns out Fight Club is one of my favourite films, if you want to watch a film about insomnia that is better than Fight Club. Watch The Machinist, Bales' best performance on screen in my opinion.
Soapy: This specialist will be the one who really digs deeper. They have said specialist but i really know its just going to be a shrink, i hate shrinks(which is funny because my missus is a shrink). I have a fair few ideas in my head which i think are the main causes though.
PS: loving the sig.
GICO: I can understand about having bottled up rage, i got into a fight last night with some random about town. One of my mates had passed out on the bench and he decided to come up and be a prick towards her. I turned around and he was looking up her skirt. To which point i just snapped and pushed him away, naturally he decided to throw a punch at me and needless to say, it wasn't me that needed to go to the hospital. Its funny how his mates didn't back him up either, they must have known he was a prick. It's good though because i was with 7 girls who were in no fit state to do anything. I remember thinking about all the crap going through my head at that moment and just flipping, i was more pissed at everything else than the fact he was trying to take advantage of a very good friend of mine. I'm not really proud of what i did, because i could have probably backed him off with some harsh words and without violence, but i just couldn't help it. This has never happened to me before either, i've been in fights but i have never been the one thats initiated them, i'm not like that.
Anyway, still, cheers for the kind words guys.


I'll finish them whenever i can be bothered.
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Drew Cameron
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Jan 2004
Location: Scotland
Posted: 13th Mar 2009 20:37
Link
If you have real, actual depression, you would know about it and not need other people to "suggest" you may have it.

Unless they mean the 'other' kind of depression where you are uninterested in stuff, not the real, horrific kind.

Oolite Please don't take this the wrong way because I dont know anything about your or your lifestyle but maybe this is time you started thining about taking up some more hobbies and "real world" stuff as opposed to using computers etc all the time - it will help with the insomnia and the general feelings you may or may not be having. The fact that you posted on these forums for support tells me you spend quite a lot of time online etc...

Don't take that as a dig, just a suggestion. I spend an unhealthy amount of time on computers so I am in no position to "preach".

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Oolite
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 28th Sep 2005
Location: Middle of the West
Posted: 13th Mar 2009 21:57
Link
Why do you think i've been skimping on details drew?
You hit the nail on the head, you don't know anything, i appreciate the help you attempted to give(and if this comes out in a malicious way i apologise) but i would never post what i'm really feeling right now. I can assure you i'm simply 'just not interested in stuff' and i am actually very concerned about this.
I have plenty of hobbies outside the computer and contrary to popular belief, i don't spend half as much time at the computer/internet as you would believe. Lately i've been at the computer because of freelance/uni work but otherwise, i'd usually prefer to be somewhere else.
I simply posted this here to see if anyone had gone through the same thing and mainly just to clear my head. This is the only forum i frequent (and i'm not down on the blogging thing) so i can't exactly post it anywhere else. At least here i thought i could get some advice if anyone had gone through it, to be honest though, i half expected it to drop down to the second page by now.


I'll finish them whenever i can be bothered.
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Drew Cameron
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Jan 2004
Location: Scotland
Posted: 14th Mar 2009 04:21 Edited at: 14th Mar 2009 04:23
Link
If it helps, I have been through what you are going through. It passes.

I think it is usually a safe assumption that people frequenting these boards have less than celebrity quality social lifes and that can go hand in hand with depression - whatever kind you can think of.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
bitJericho
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 14th Mar 2009 04:34 Edited at: 14th Mar 2009 04:35
Link
So what happens if you just stay up until you can't stand/sit anymore? Or have you tried that and you just skip a night?

Anyways, I hope the specialist helps out. I wouldn't be too upset about the wait either, I'm sure she has many other patients in your same position who've had to also wait for an opening.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Van B
Moderator
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 8th Oct 2002
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted: 14th Mar 2009 16:05
Link
Lack of social contact can certainly be a factor, but really that depends on how important it is to you. If you are used to having lots of friends around, then for whatever reason that stops, it can really amplify the other problems in life.

When I get depressed to the point that it affects my sleep, it's always due to pressures and the general bull that I face at work. Visiting friends, even if it's just to play some Rock Band or watch movies is the best escape from the stress I know of, it's better than any medication IMO. Whenever I'm with friends I'm a different person, I leave my problems behind and concentrate on having a damn good laugh. Pity help anyone who tries to ruin it though.

I can totally relate to Oolite sending that dick to the hospital, friends are obviously very important to him and he is protective of them. I know that I would have done exactly the same thing, because no friend of mine ever has to wonder if I have their back, this has gotten me in real trouble in the past of course. One thing is clear though, when it boils over it tends to be directed at someone who deserves it, personally I'm not sure that this can be considered a bad thing, not in 'times like this'. I'm guessing Oolite got major kudos for putting that guy in his place, sometimes someone has to be the monster, and it's usually the stressed out that step up to the plate.


Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Dared1111
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 25th Oct 2006
Location:
Posted: 14th Mar 2009 19:56
Link
Bad dreams are caused by:
*Your mind reminding you of things you've tried to put out of it (such as fears), although this isnt really your issue
*Blood Pressure (stress)
*Excess of Caffine

Have you tried?:
*Reading until you're tired
*Pretending to be tired
*Taking a bath, until you are tired
*Milk and Honey mixed
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Drew Cameron
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Jan 2004
Location: Scotland
Posted: 15th Mar 2009 03:21
Link
Well said VanB, some people basically have it coming quite frankly.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Toasty Fresh
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 10th Jun 2007
Location: In my office, making poly-eating models.
Posted: 15th Mar 2009 04:20
Link
Quote: "And I thought I was damaged. I can skip dinner + evening-meal and not get hungry until next morning WOW!
"


I almost always skip breakfast. I never have enough time for it, I have a half hour window before I wake up and hop on the bus. In that time I must clean my teeth, attempt to 'bomb some destroyers' if you catch my drift, which usually takes a while, and also I have to try and wake myself up.

Usually I skip lunch on weekdays too, instead having a small snack.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Oolite
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 28th Sep 2005
Location: Middle of the West
Posted: 15th Mar 2009 04:55
Link
Quote: "Lack of social contact can certainly be a factor, but really that depends on how important it is to you. If you are used to having lots of friends around, then for whatever reason that stops, it can really amplify the other problems in life."

That may also be a problem, coming to think of it. I have plenty of close friends down here, but since moving to the south end i have missed my friends that i grew up with a hell of a lot. i've known my longest friend the better part of 18 years and although i will speak to most of them almost every day and see them every 2 months or so, i do miss them. I'm too manly to admit that though...
I'll see if my dire sleep condition improves when i head back home for easter, i'm pretty sure this 'specialist' should help me narrow down some of the problems though.

Quote: "When I get depressed to the point that it affects my sleep, it's always due to pressures and the general bull that I face at work. Visiting friends, even if it's just to play some Rock Band or watch movies is the best escape from the stress I know of, it's better than any medication IMO. Whenever I'm with friends I'm a different person, I leave my problems behind and concentrate on having a damn good laugh. Pity help anyone who tries to ruin it though."

Yeah i can totally understand that. I do tend to make a point of getting out the house whenever i can though. I just jump onto campus and find the flat which is making the most noise, or take my guitar over and jam with friends. Lately, because my bedroom is also my workplace i find it hard to relax in there. Today i reordered my bedroom into sections (if you like), so i have my desk at one corner and my 360, guitar and bed on the other side. I also have a different chair over that side aswell, just to add more variety to it. It was nice today just to jump across the room, turn the amp up and listen to my neighbours complain, didn't feel like me jamming at work anymore.

Quote: "I can totally relate to Oolite sending that dick to the hospital, friends are obviously very important to him and he is protective of them. I know that I would have done exactly the same thing, because no friend of mine ever has to wonder if I have their back, this has gotten me in real trouble in the past of course. One thing is clear though, when it boils over it tends to be directed at someone who deserves it, personally I'm not sure that this can be considered a bad thing, not in 'times like this'. I'm guessing Oolite got major kudos for putting that guy in his place, sometimes someone has to be the monster, and it's usually the stressed out that step up to the plate."

That has always been one thing i am proud of. I'm considered very reliable and trust worthy, mainly because i value my friends over myself and (as much as i hate to admit, but its true) my family. I'd still protect my family as much as i would my friends however. The moment i saw the prick doing that i just flipped out though, part of me regrets how far i went but the other part (the bigger part) just doesn't, i can guarantee he won't ever try it again, on anyone let alone my friends.
Dared:I can tell you haven't really been reading this thread already


I'll finish them whenever i can be bothered.
Back to top
Profile PM Website
feiting shadow
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 12th Sep 2006
Location:
Posted: 15th Mar 2009 11:05
Link
You think a lot.

My friend with insomnia was a CS major at the U. My acquaintence with insomnia had an IQ that raised when he was sleeping, since the brain meter thingy detected more activity when he "slept" at testing.

Even I only got 4 hours of sleep for a couple years when I had a girlfriend, got into programming, thought life mattered, trained for tkd tournaments... all at once.

When my life calmed down, I slept more. Don't have data for them, lost contact. Though the girl works for microsoft now, if she wasn't laid off... dunno for sure.

Your posts are long like mine too. Definitely smart. If it doesn't stop, I'd take insanity's advice on the melatonin, it'll induce deep tissue healing and prevent muscular distrophy when you're old. Also, I learned to force myself to lie down and sleep, after 8 cappuchinos. Dennys gave them to me in the shake containers 'cause how fast I went through them.

If nothing else, I don't really wanna admit this, but I've studied healing for years now and use Ernest Holmes' methods if you need. His top student, Joel G, was actually world known for actual healings, and unlike that scandal from televangelists, he didn't charge any money. I don't either. I actually study enlightenment but a side-effect is healing ability, and I don't see why not if nothing else works. The worst that could happen is it doesn't work.

Anyway, unsure how soon I'll recheck this thread.
Will try to remember. In any case, try to find common threads between insomniacs and undo those characteristics in yourself. Doctors are so stupid usually, never asking relational questions.

Signed
------
Back to top
Profile PM
Drew Cameron
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Jan 2004
Location: Scotland
Posted: 15th Mar 2009 18:01
Link
Quote: "Doctors are so stupid usually."


Entirely untrue.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
bitJericho
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 15th Mar 2009 18:12
Link
Quote: "The worst that could happen is it doesn't work."


The worst that could happen is it works but comes back later.

You should be careful when giving medical advice based on pseudo-science.

I don't have a problem with you or what you do, and I even would say, why not give it a try? But to say your treatment is more logically sound than medical doctors is misleading and dangerous.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Drew Cameron
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Jan 2004
Location: Scotland
Posted: 16th Mar 2009 00:03
Link
Quote: "I don't have a problem with you or what you do, and I even would say, why not give it a try? But to say your treatment is more logically sound than medical doctors is misleading and dangerous."


Exactly.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
feiting shadow
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 12th Sep 2006
Location:
Posted: 16th Mar 2009 00:04 Edited at: 16th Mar 2009 00:08
Link
2 different paragraphs.

2 different subjects.

Where did I say pseudoscience > doctors?

I hated western medical science since before I studied this. Therefore you can be sure my prejudice is nonbiased.

edit: Basically, in simple terms, since I just saw another post agreeing with what I didn't say, I never said I was giving medical advice. I never said it'll work and the doctors won't help. I simply said, the doctors we see usually never ask you what your diet is like, lifestyle, what you were doing before the symptoms showed up. For some reason, cause and effect doesn't seem to exist beyond pills.

But I can completely understand, if I told 100 people how to help themselves and only 3 listened, I'd probably be just like them.

I don't mind if you guys don't even follow my methods, but please argue against things I actually say. Right now "Yeah FS Clowns won't work at all." is pretty much inline with what you're saying.

Signed
------
Back to top
Profile PM
bitJericho
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 16th Mar 2009 00:10 Edited at: 16th Mar 2009 00:11
Link
Quote: "Where did I say pseudoscience > doctors?"


To reword what you said, "usually doctors are stupider with their questions than the people who practice enlightenment" (or whatever you call it).

If that's not what you intended to say, I apologize

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2025-06-07 13:21:05
Your offset time is: 2025-06-07 13:21:05