Barnaby here, and I’m once again singing the insomnia sleep disorder blues. Unfortunately, hypnotherapy did not work to cure my insomnia. I was hopeful for a while, but it appears my brief remission was due to the placebo effect, or for whatever reason was just a pause which has now ended. The past week has been quite difficult, and I have been lucky to get 4 hours of decent sleep per night. Lying in bed watching my wife sleep while I can not is quite frustrating, and I can feel the effects of my sleep deprivation the following day. Thus, I am now once again singing the insomnia sleep disorder blues.
However, I am not giving up. I know there is a cure out there that will work for me — I have just yet to find it. However, no matter how bad my insomnia gets, I know that others have even worse problems — so I shouldn’t complain. Yes, insomnia sleep disorder can seriously impact your life, but you can still lead a decent life with it. I am almost beginning to cope with my insomnia sleep disorder, and it is becoming just another part of my daily routine. This is not to say that I’d love to find a cure for my insomnia sleep disorder, and hopefully I will soon.
I shall keep everyone updated on my next avenues for a potential cure for my insomnia sleep disorder.
Barnaby here, and unfortunately I must report a temporary relapse back into the symptoms of insomnia. For those of you new to my story, I’ve been posting on here for quite some time about my travails with chronic insomnia. Many of the usual causes of insomnia including clinical depression and sleep apnea have been ruled out in my case, and I tried a wide variety of sleep treatments. Recently, hypnotherapy for insomnia was proving to be quite helpful. I went for a stretch of around two weeks without experiencing symptoms of insomnia, but the past few nights I was not so lucky. I reverted back to my dreaded tossing and turning throughout the night, and I have become quite tired at work during the day.
For those of you who are still unaware, the most common symptoms of insomnia include:
- Frequent waking up in the middle of the night
- Taking more than an hour to fall asleep
- Waking up long before necessary in the morning
- Feelings of anxiety and a short temper during the day
- Tiredness even after thinking you slept through the night
Independently, not every symptom of insomnia indicates that insomnia is actually present. Everyone occasionally has trouble falling asleep, and most people are at least occasionally tired during the day. However, when these symptoms of insomnia occur on a frequent basis, then insomnia might prove to be the correct diagnosis. Unfortunately, diagnosing insomnia is far easier than treating it. In my case, I have been through a plethora of suggested cures — none to any avail. Hypnotherapy for insomnia had begun to help, but the jury is still out on whether my insomnia is gone for good. I’ll update everyone again soon,
It’s Barnaby, and I’d like to share some interesting tidbits I learned from my hypnotherapist, Sharon. Sleep disorders insomnia, narcolepsy and others are among the most intriguing ailments suffered by us. Very little is known about the human brain, and even more mysterious are our sleep and dreams. Although much remains unknown about sleep, it is known that without it, we can not live. Sleep — and dreams, too — are necessary for a person to live. Sadly, in some of the severest sleep disorders insomnia people who can not sleep for long durations can entail a fatal result. These cases are extremely rare, and the vast majority of sleep disorders insomnia cases are relatively mild. Nonetheless, I can attest from personal experience that even moderate insomnia can truly impinge upon one’s life.
I have been experiencing sleep issues for several months now, and I have tried sleep aids, changing my sleep environment and a whole list of other potential sleep treatments. My test ruled out sleep apnea, and a professional ruled out the possibility of clinical depression. Recently, I turned to hypnotherapy for help, and my therapist Sharon has been great. Today she was telling me about a patient who suffers from narcolepsy. She advised him that hypnotherapy has not been shown to help narcolepsy at all, and that it was a medical condition requiring serious treatment. He knew this, but was so desperate that he was willing to try anything no matter how remote the chances of it helping. Sharon figured that no harm could come from hypnotherapy, and it might serve to just relax him if not help his sleep condition.
When she was describing to me how much he suffers, I felt almost lucky to have the opposite condition of insomnia. Those with narcolepsy can fall asleep immediately — even if driving or doing other dangerous activities. This presents far more danger than frustrating nights tossing and turning in bed. Hopefully, science makes some inroads and gains insight into sleep disorders, insomnia and narcolepsy — many of us truly need the help.
I just wanted to pop back over and clarify what seems to be a point of confusion. Many CantSleep readers appear to be in search of a singular “test” which definitely shows if you have insomnia, and if so, what the root cause of it is. Unfortunately, there is no such test. If there was, my own insomnia would have been assuaged months ago. However, there are tests which can identify — or rule out — some specific causes of insomnia. Most salient of these is a sleep apnea test. Sleep apnea can be definitively identified via a sleep apnea test. These tests are administered by professionals, and oftentimes you must spend the entire evening being monitored (I have gone through this myself). In my case, the sleep apnea test came back negative. However, there is no test to determine what truly is the cause of my particular sleep issues.
Insomnia can arise from a variety of causes. Some of these are physical, while others are mental. Stress can trigger bouts of insomnia, and depression has been identified as a main cause behind many cases of chronic insomnia. As indicated, physical conditions like sleep apnea can be the root cause of sleep problems. Unfortunately, there is no one easy test which can ascertain whether the cause of a particular case of insomnia is due to physical or mental issues. Many seem to confuse what they read about a sleep apnea test interpreting it as being a generic test for insomnia.
So, in terms of my own sleep problems — I have been continuing with my hypnotherapy with my great therapist, Sharon. I am beginning to notice improvements, and several of the past nights have been pretty much insomnia-free. Sleep is coming back into my life and it is a great feeling. Hopefully some of you reading this now can soon find the relief that I think I have come upon. I’ll provide further updates soon,
It’s Barnaby checking in with an update on my progress treating my sleeping disorder with hypnotherapy. I’ve previously recounted here at CantSleep my sleep issues going back several months now. I went through all sorts of tests, and no one was able to pinpoint the exact cause of my sleeping disorder. I experienced occasional periods of relief, but inevitably I found myself once again tossing and turning the night away. After quite a few unsuccessful treatments, a kind reader of CantSleep suggested that I try hypnotherapy to address my sleeping disorder. I just had my third session with my therapist Sharon, and I actually think it is beginning to work. Last night, I actually fell asleep on the sofa while watching a movie with my wife — not a strong testament to Letters To Juliet! A movie so bad it can put an insomniac to sleep. Well, I shouldn’t be too harsh — the film wasn’t meant for those of my gender.
So my wife was amazed to see me actually falling asleep that easily, and when she eventually woke me to move to our bed I then fell asleep in rapid order again. She really thinks it is the hypnotherapy, and I am beginning to think (hope) that she is right. I’ve increased my sessions with Sharon (my therapist) to several times a week, and I am really getting hopeful that this treatment proves to be the magic bullet for my sleeping disorder. Sharon warned that it might be a “placebo effect” — but I do not care, just so long as it is working! I’ll keep everyone updated.
There are now a plethora of sources for insomnia information, but, unfortunately, many provide less than objective advice. These days, when seeking information most turn to the Internet — and the volumes of information on the Internet ensure almost every question can be answered. However, within this voluminous information there exists myths, confusion and even outright falsehoods. Some websites purporting to convey insomnia information exist solely for the purpose of selling you a specific product — whether you need it or not. For example, a given source for insomnia information might say that sleep apnea is always the cause of chronic insomnia, and then they subsequently try to sell you a CPAP mask. The truth is that only a small portion of those with sleep problems truly have sleep apnea, and that the particular site was misleading you solely for the purpose of parting you with your hard earned money.
This phenomenon is salient within all arenas of knowledge conveyed over the Internet, however, within the realm of insomnia information it is especially prominent. Consequently, readers need to be especially discriminating — and skeptical — when seeking health information online. There exists several reputable sources which are universally recognized as providing objective information. However, these sites usually cover a wide range of health topics and give short shrift to insomnia information. Sources like CantSleep.com focus solely on insomnia information, and one of the reasons I felt comfortable sharing my story here is that you can easily see CantSleep isn’t pushing a diagnosis on anyone or suggesting that one form of treatment is better than another. The bottom line is, when seeking insomnia information digest what you read with a large grain of salt.
Barnaby here, and I’d like to answer a question which has been sent in by quite a few of our readers here at CantSleep. This questions relates to what exactly are insomnia symptoms? Everyone experiences occasional nights of restlessness, but when do normal happenings cross the line thus turning into insomnia symptoms? The following, at least according to prominent insomnia experts, constitutes insomnia symptoms:
– Lying in bed for an hour or more on a constant basis being unable to fall asleep
– Commonly waking up in the middle of the night and being unable to fall back asleep
– Waking up too early in the morning without falling asleep again
– Feelings of grouchiness, anxiety and distraction during the course of the day
– Still feeling tired after thinking you got a full night’s sleep
Insomnia symptoms can relate to both the quality and quantity of sleep. Many who suffer from insomnia are unaware that they are not getting quality sleep. This often happens with sleep apnea which causes the sufferer to wake up gasping for breath multiple times during the course of an evening. This obviously detracts from quality sleep, and even though you think you slept all night the quality of that sleep was deficient. Obviously, it is often hard to determine what are insomnia symptoms versus what are just normal happenings within life. Being grouchy one day, of course, does not indicate that you have insomnia. However, when multiple symptoms emerge that provides a real clue that insomnia may be the culprit. In the end, only a qualified health care provider can derive an accurate insomnia diagnosis, so if you think you have insomnia symptoms, then the best first step is to seek help from a professional.
I’ll be back soon to update everyone on my progress using hypnotherapy to address my own insomnia symptoms.
It’s Barnaby here, and I’m back with some interesting new information. A kind lady contacted me about me sleep troubles and suggested that I explore hypnotherapy as a possibly effective way to treat insomnia. Over the past few months I have attempted to treat insomnia with all varieties of methods and tests — unfortunately to no avail. After my initial research, I am quite excited about the prospects of hypnosis being able to treat insomnia. There is much agreement that stress can be a major contributor to insomnia, and in my case insomnia creates more stress thus creating a vicious circle.
Hopefully, hypnotherapy can be the trick needed to break this cycle and finally facilitate a decent night’s sleep. I am far from an expert on hypnosis, but my research so far has indicated that the relaxed state achieved by hypnotherapy is one of the best ways to combat stress. Hypnotherapy can be achieved either via self-hypnosis or through the assistance of a trained hypnotherapist. I have yet to decide whether I am going to purchase a guide for self hypnosis or alternatively seek the guidance of a professional. However, I have definitely decided that I will give this route a try — I am willing to give anything that can treat insomnia a shot. I’ll share my progress with hypnotherapy soon.
It’s Barnaby stopping by in order to share my initial thoughts about sleeping help based upon hypnotherapy. I located a certified hypnotherapist near me, and yesterday I had my first session. Sharon was very kind and professional, and she explained to me that the goal of our sessions was to allow the stress to escape from my subconscious enabling me to fall asleep. Sleeping help such as this is quite appealing to me seeing I can’t use typical sleep aids nor has anything else I’ve tried been successful. Sharon warned me that hypnotherapy was not an overnight solution for insomnia, and that its effects are not immediate. I am willing to be patient and let the effects of the therapy accrue hopefully providing me with much needed sleeping help.
I actually did feel quite refreshed after my session — this was the first time I have ever experienced anything like this. Sharon relayed to me that many have her patients have benefited from hypnosis in their quest to quit smoking, lose weight, overcome their fears — and for sleeping help. I found this especially encouraging that others have found a solution to their insomnia by using hypnotherapy. Sharon said it was impossible to predict exactly when I would experience tangible results from the hypnotherapy — different patients have varying response times. Hopefully for me it is soon — if I don’t get sleeping help quickly I fear turning into a walking zombie! I will keep everyone updated, and I want to thank you all again for your kind words of encouragement and advice.
It is Barnaby here. I’ve previously discussed why I can’t use common sleep aids, but I went against my own rules out of desperation for some sleep the other night. Once again, the sleep aid I used caused me to be quite out of it the following day — even more so than I usually am after tossing and turning all night. For those of you using either prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids, I’d like to enumerate the potential hazards from these drugs. Although many can use common sleep aids without any adverse effects, some (including myself) can experience one or several of the following events:
– Increasing drug tolerance forcing you to continually step up your dosage
– Possible withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation of use
– Some sleep aids can result in dependency
– Some experience “rebound insomnia” after discontinuing sleep aid use
– Sleep aids can have unforeseen interactions with other drugs you may be taking
– Side effects can be present with many common over the counter sleep aids
When used for occasional insomnia, sleep aids can be quite helpful and are generally safe. However, those who use sleep aids for extended periods are often just masking the underlying condition which is causing the insomnia. Failure to recognize some possible causes — including sleep apnea — can lead to even more severe adverse health conditions. If you find yourself continually using sleep aids, then it is advised you seek the opinion of a qualified health care provider in order to ascertain whether sleep aid use can be safely continued. Unfortunately, my insomnia is unable to be solved with simple sleep aids — but hopefully I find my magic sleep bullet soon.
It’s Barnaby again, and I’d like to discuss some good sleep deprivation help I’ve received from a local insomnia support group. Although I have yet to find a cause, nor cure, for my insomnia, the support of others suffering from the same ailment can serve as effective sleep deprivation help — if only for moral support. This support extends to online communities such as those who read CantSleep.com — sharing our stories and ideas about insomnia is an effective tool towards conquering this beast once and for all. Sleep deprivation help can come in the form of moral and peer support along with professional treatment.
Unfortunately, one has to determine the cause of their particular sleep troubles in order to effectuate a useful treatment regimen. I say unfortunately because I have yet to ascertain the cause of my insomnia which has periodically reared its head over the past few months. I enjoyed a brief period of sleep deprivation help through the use of Valerian, but for some reason it suddenly lost its effectiveness after two week’s use. I have ruled out sleep apnea, clinical depression and migraine headaches as potential causes — and my search continues. Until I find a long term cure for my insomnia, I must rely on sleep deprivation help in the form of support groups and online communities like the one here on this blog. I do appreciate all the suggestions and tips received from CantSleep.com readers — and I encourage everyone to continue to write in. Maybe one of you can provide the ultimate sleep deprivation help in the form of a permanent cure for my insomnia.
Hi everyone, Barnaby here. First, I’d like to thank everyone who sent me suggestions for natural cures for insomnia. So many of you sent accupuncture — but to tell you the truth — that really freaks me out. I decided to try Valerian first, and it’s only been a few days but it appears it is already working. The lady who originally recommended it to me, Joanne, told me that it could take 2 to 3 weeks of use to take effect. She thinks that I might be experiencing a bit of the placebo effect, but to tell you the truth, I don’t care — just so long as I can sleep. Last night I got just over 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, and I was actually able to stay alert and focused at work today — which recently has been a real rarity.
So just how does Valerian work? It appears that science has not yet answered this question. “Mainstream” medicine was initially skeptical of Valerian as a treatment for insomnia, but several recent studies have shown that it can be effective in many cases. In the end, so long as it helps me get restful sleep without harming me, I really don’t care what “science” says about it. I was able to find Valerian at a nutritional store, and Joanne recommended that I start with a daily intake of 7 grams taken 3 hours before going to bed. For the past 2 nights I’ve fallen asleep within an hour after hitting the pillow. I haven’t experienced any side effects like I did before with sleeping pills, and my research so far hasn’t shown anyone who claims Valerian is addictive.
I’m quickly becoming a believer in Valerian. We’re off tomorrow on a trip for a few days to visit my wife’s sister and her family up in Wisconsin. Taking a few days off work should further help to reduce the stress which built up during my several weeks of not sleeping. Hopefully the Valerian continues to allow for restful sleep. I’ll give everyone an update when I return.
Hi everyone, 
Hi everyone, Barnaby here. First, I’d like to thank everyone who sent me suggestions for natural cures for insomnia. So many of you sent accupuncture — but to tell you the truth — that really freaks me out. I decided to try Valerian first, and it’s only been a few days but it appears it is already working. The lady who originally recommended it to me, Joanne, told me that it could take 2 to 3 weeks of use to take effect. She thinks that I might be experiencing a bit of the placebo effect, but to tell you the truth, I don’t care — just so long as I can sleep. Last night I got just over 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep, and I was actually able to stay alert and focused at work today — which recently has been a real rarity.
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