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.
It’s Barnaby again, and I’d like to follow up on my previous post about sleep apnea treatments. In order to know that you need a sleep apnea treatment, it is first required that you be able to recognize sleep apnea symptoms. Sleep apnea is a condition which entails the cessation of breathing multiple times during the course of the night. This leaves those who have sleep apnea waking up gasping for breath over and over — which obviously does not lend to a good night’s sleep. If you experience the following sleep apnea symptoms, then you should strongly consider getting a sleep apnea test in order to ascertain whether you are suffering from this condition:
- Excessive and loud snoring
- Waking up gasping for breath
- Daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating
- Night time dry or sore throat
- Frequent headaches upon awakening in the morning
It is quite possible that having only one — or two — of these sleep apnea symptoms does not mean that you have sleep apnea. Obviously, everyone who snores does not have sleep apnea, nor does experiencing morning headaches indicate the presence of sleep apnea. However, when several symptoms appear together, then the odds that sleep apnea is the culprit rise. A sleep apnea test can be administered either at your home or at a health care facility. In some scenarios, this test might take all night — but it is well worth it in order to determine if you have this condition. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to much more serious medical conditions. Addressing sleep apnea symptoms at their onset helps reduce the chances of anything more serious ensuing — so if you feel that some of these sleep apnea symptoms apply to you, then get a sleep apnea test sooner rather than later.
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.
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 here, and I’d like to continue my discussion about hypnotherapy as a sleep treatment. As I disclosed in my last post here, I’ve decided to focus on hypnotherapy as a potential solution for my chronic insomnia. I just had my second session with my therapist, Sharon. Afterwards, she had a few spare moments, and we discussed the history of hypnotherapy and how it works. I was fascinated to find out that the use of hypnotherapy dates back thousands of years all the way back to the ancient Sumerians. Although it has been used for thousands of years, science has yet to figure out exactly how it works. Sharon explained that much of how the human brain functions is still an utter mystery. One of the most important functions — necessary for life itself — is the brain’s ability to regulate your sleep cycle.
Those with chronic insomnia like us often have a really hard time pinpointing the exact cause of our sleep problems. This results in a quest for a sleep treatment entailing myriad tests and almost a trial and error methodology of solving the issue. Unfortunately, in my case, it has been all errors during my trials. Nothing I have tried so far has worked, but my hopes are high that hypnotherapy might prove to be an effective sleep treatment in my case. Sharon conceded that many who benefit from hypnotherapy do so because of the placebo effect. This relates to the power of the human mind to cure a malady — purely from the belief that a sleep treatment you are using will work. For this reason, I am keeping a positive outlook, and I am convincing myself that hypnotherapy will prove to be an effective sleep treatment for my insomnia. Candidly, I don’t care if my results are from the placebo effect or actually from the hypnotherapy itself. Just so long as it works allowing me to begin getting a full night’s sleep, I will be happy.
In a recent post here on CantSleep, I alluded to the fact that I ruled out clinical depression as the cause for my case of insomnia. However, an appreciable percent of those having trouble sleeping do suffer from clinical depression. It is important to know the signs of clinical depression, whether relating to yourself or seen within a loved one. If anyone around you is displaying the signs of clinical depression, it is important that they seek immediate professional help. Left untreated, clinical depression can prove fatal. Signs of clinical depression can include:
– Decreased energy levels and fatigue
– Insomnia
– Loss of interest in work and/or hobbies
– Disinterest in sex
– Sudden temper and irritability
– Sudden change in eating habits including either weight gain or loss
– Persistent thoughts of death
– Minor but chronic aches and pains
If you — or someone you love — is showing the signs of clinical depression, then seeking help can prove to be a lifesaver. Unfortunately, suicide claims the lives of tens of thousands on an annual basis, and proactive treatment could have prevented virtually all of them. Modern treatment for clinical depression is highly effective, and once treated those who suffer from clinical depression can lead normal and happy lives. Hopefully this information can spur someone out there to take the first — and most important — step by recognizing the signs of clinical depression and seeking help.
Barnaby here. On a sour note, my sleep travails remain unabated. The past week has only allowed me one decent night’s sleep in between quite a few nights of tossing and turning. Instead of complaining about my own sleep issues, I wanted to start an important discussion about clinical depression. Once you recognize the signs of clinical depression, what are the best depression treatments? The answer to that question depends upon the nature of your individual case, and a full diagnosis and treatment regimen can only be devised by a qualified mental health care provider. Some who are diagnosed with clinical depression receive depression treatments including psychotherapy and group therapy as opposed to medications. As the above video illustrates, the future might hold gene treatment which can treat — or even prevent — clinical depression. However, for now, therapy and pharmaceuticals remain the salient depression treatments.
The majority of those with the disorder receive depression treatments including anti-depressants and/or mood stabilizers. These pharmacological depression treatments have been shown to be highly effective, and today’s depression treatment drugs have far fewer side effects than those of past times. It is important to remain cognizant that none of these treatment solutions provide for an overnight cure. It is paramount to stay the course with your prescribed depression treatments, and retain hope that there will be sunnier days. I’ll be back here at CantSleep again soon. I’d like to thank everyone who has sent in suggestions, tips and sympathies regarding my nagging insomnia. Hopefully I’ll have good news to post soon!
Narcolepsy is an insidious condition which embodies itself in the form of excessive daytime sleepiness. This can entail drowsiness throughout the day, or even falling asleep at the most inappropriate of times. Those afflicted with narcolepsy can suddenly fall asleep even when in the middle of a conversation. Just like with insomniacs, those with narcolepsy have trouble getting a full night’s sleep. Consequently, many times narcolepsy is erroneously diagnosed as insomnia upon initial examinations. Although much about narcolepsy is not yet understood, scientists do know that those suffering from it enter REM sleep much faster than does the typical person.
REM stands for rapid eye movement, and it is associated with the deepest stages of sleep. Most dreams that you are able to recall with detail occur during REM sleep. Normally, a person enters REM sleep approximately 90 minutes after first falling asleep. Those with narcolepsy enter REM within 10 minutes of falling asleep. Research has definitively shown that narcolepsy is not a mental illness nor a psychological condition. It is a neurological ailment which can wreck havoc within the lives of those who suffer from it. However, research has quantified that those with narcolepsy do not have shorter life spans as a result.
Scientists aren’t certain, but they believe that narcolepsy is a genetic condition. Treatment regimens for narcolepsy are highly personalized — what works for one person might not work for another. Most treatments currently center on pharmaceuticals, and although there is no cure, many with narcolepsy are able to manage the condition using current treatment regimens.
Hi all, it’s Barnaby checking back in. When I last posted on CantSleep.com the other day I was about to have my sleep apnea test. My doctor just called and advised me that I do not have sleep apnea. I can’t help but feel relieved, but at the same time I am disappointed that a definitive reason for my insomnia can not be ascertained. For now, I’ve decided that I’ve had enough of doctors and so-called experts, and I’m going to try to find a solution for my sleep issues which doesn’t involve pills. If you remember, I’ve previously described on here my unpleasant experiences with over the counter sleep aids. I tried various types of over the counter sleep pills, and they left me with horrible nightmares and insatiable thirst. I’m also quite nervous about becoming addicted to sleeping pills.
Last night my wife had me call her friend Joanne who is really into alternative medicine. Joanne told me that there are several possible natural cures for insomnia, and that she personally has seen them used with success. She gave me a list of possible natural cures of insomnia, and I’m now researching them trying to decide which is best for me. I first ruled out Melatonin. Although it seems that many people are able to use Melatonin successfully, I read that it can cause nightmares — something which I have already shown a tendency towards when I tried over the counter sleep aids. Also out is Kava. Although I see it discussed online, Joanne told me to stay away from it — Kava is now thought to potentially cause liver damage.
The next possibility is Valerian. This seems interesting. It seems that Valerian is a really popular natural cure for insomnia in Europe, and it has been used to treat insomnia for hundreds of years. Joanne insisted that Valerian is not tied to nightmares, and most importantly it is not addictive. The downside is that she said that you have to take Valerian for two to three weeks before it becomes effective. I don’t know if I can make it another 3 weeks like this sleeping only a few hours a night — if that. Joanne also suggested Yoga and Feng Shui — but I really am not the Eastern mystic type. I guess Yoga can’t hurt, but Feng Shui just strikes me as silly.
I think Valerian is on the top of my list to try as a natural cure for insomnia. Has anyone out there had success with any other possible natural cures? I’d really love to hear if you have.
Hi everyone — Barnaby here again. It’s been a few days since I’ve shared my ongoing insomnia saga with you, my apologies for that. Suffice to say, things have not gotten any better. The other day when I lasted posted I was about to try sleeping pills one more time. As feared, that was a disaster. No nightmares this time, but after getting a few hour’s worth of sleep I was completely dysfunctional. I even had to stay home from work and miss and important staff meeting which didn’t go over well with my boss whatsoever. This prompted my wife to insist that I see yet another doctor, and this one wants me to have a sleep apnea test. My previous research led me to believe that sleep apnea was not the cause of my insomnia, but this doctor wants to rule it out for sure.
Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing for short (or sometimes longer up to 30 seconds) periods. This causes you to awaken while gasping for breath — obviously not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Last night I got around 3 hours of sleep in total — which is around average over the past several weeks since my insomnia first started. I am almost hoping that the sleep apnea test comes back positive — at least then I’ll know what the issue is. The doctor told me that the official name for this test is polysomnography. It involves monitoring my breathing and vital statistics while (if) I sleep. I have to spend tonight at the clinic where they’ll hook me up to this machine and record all of my movements.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to sleep at all while hooked up to all those wires. The doctor assured me that a sleep apnea test is completely painless, so I’m not worried. Suz offered to spend the night at the clinic, but they advised against it. She has been really supportive during my insomnia crisis, I really don’t know what I’d do without her. Well, I’m not sure whether to ask you to root for me to pass or fail the test. Sleep apnea sounds scary, but at least there are cures and I can solve my sleep issues once and for all. I’ll update everyone once I get the test results.
Clinical depression entails both psychological as well as physical manifestations. Most of us are aware of the psychological signs of depression including feelings of sadness, hopelessness and emptiness. However, many are unaware that there are physical symptoms of depression. Remaining cognizant of these physical symptoms of depression allows one to know what to look for — and when to get help.
One of the most salient physical symptoms of depression relates to your sleep habits. Chronic insomnia could be caused by clinical depression. Conversely, some who suffer from depression sleep excessively and have a hard time dragging themselves out of bed. An abrupt change in sleep patterns can often prove to be the first of the physical symptoms of depression to arise. Constant fatigue and exhaustion also are indicative to poor sleeping, and they are also independent physical symptoms of depression in their own rights.
Many who are clinically depressed experience other ailments including frequent headaches, back pain as well as other aches and pains throughout the body. Obviously, not all minor aches and pains are due to depression, but when taken in context with other psychological symptoms of depression they can yield helpful clues when it comes to a depression diagnosis. Some patients with depression actually experience chest pains as one of their physical symptoms of depression, and in the most severe instances it can be mistaken for a real heart attack.
A sudden change in weight is also a salient physical manifestation of clinical depression. This can be in either direction — rapid weight gain or alternatively unexplained weight loss. Clinical depression can also entail digestive problems including nausea and/or constipation. As with other physical symptoms of depression, many of these can be attributed to other ailments or just the daily rigors of life — however, when they occur consequent to sleep pattern changes you should take notice.
Clinical depression entails different signs for each individual. What might be physical symptoms of depression in one person might be harmless minor maladies in another. In the end, only a qualified mental health professional can make an accurate depression diagnosis. If you think you are experiencing some of these physical symptoms of depression, then the time to act is now.
Sleep apnea is a condition which entails the inability to breath for short periods during the course of a night’s sleep. These episodes of sleep apnea can occur many times throughout the night — with some sufferers sleep apnea episodes can number into the hundreds on a nightly basis. There are many symptoms of sleep apnea, and they can vary by the individual. Daytime sleepiness is among the most common symptoms of sleep apnea, and those who wake up each morning still feeling tired could very well trace their problems back to sleep apnea. Memory loss and trouble concentrating are also symptoms of sleep apnea, and in the most extreme cases others will note a distinct personality change in those who experience sleep apnea.
Approximately 50% of those who have sleep apnea report having morning headaches which presents for another clue to the presence of sleep apnea. Arising multiple times during the night to urinate is also among the symptoms of sleep apnea, but in some circumstances this can be due to bladder problems as opposed to a sleep disorder. Loud snoring or choking spells while you sleep are also telltale symptoms of sleep apnea, however, it is often incumbent upon your partner to notice these type of symptoms of sleep apnea seeing you are asleep and will not take note of them.
As for children, common symptoms of sleep apnea include bed wetting, excessive snoring or a sudden drop in performance in school. Daytime drowsiness is also present within young sufferers of sleep apnea as well as adults with the condition. In isolation, many of these symptoms can be indicative of conditions other than sleep apnea, however, they all provide clues that sleep apnea may be present. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to a variety of adverse health effects, and it is paramount to take corrective actions sooner rather than later. Many sleep apnea treatments are quite easy — if you aren’t getting a full night’s sleep the first step is to ensure that sleep apnea is not the culprit.
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