Sleep OCD

I’ve struggled with different intrusive thoughts and obsessions my entire life. Has anyone else ever struggled with sleep? The past few nights, as I’m trying to fall asleep, I have intrusive thoughts that I’ll never be able to sleep and that I’ll lose my mind as a result of insomnia. I’ve never experienced this before, I know it’s just my OCD trying to creep it’s way into the front of my mind. I’m not sure how to ease my thoughts and I just want to sleep. Any tips or suggestions?

Anonymous

User type: Staff

Date posted: 2y

This is actually a fairly common intrusive thought in OCD. Have you participated in ERP yet? Working alongside a therapist can be beneficial in helping you to develop an individualized treatment plan and exposures that address this area. You can call NOCD today for a free 15-minute call to see if this is something you are interested in. The key here is to recognize that it is just a thought- the more you try not to think it, the more you will think about it. So continue with your routine at night and if the thought is there, then allow it to be there- you don't have to attach meaning to it- just because we think something doesn't make it true. You could also say yah maybe I will never sleep again and lose my mind, who knows- we will wait and see- this way OCD has nowhere to go. You got this.

neither_freer

Date posted: 2y

@NOCD Therapist - Stacy Q. Thank you so unbelievably much. I spoke with NOCD today and set up my first appointment, but it’s a week away so I’m trying to get by in the meantime. I’ve been crying for days over this, but your message helped me feel a bit more grounded. Thank you, I’m so eager to finally get treatment

harper8

Date posted: 2y

I went through a really bad Period of the ocd insomnia years ago. The only thing that helped me at the time was sleeping in the same bed with a friend or family member. For some reason it got me calmed down and off of the ocd cycle at night

neither_freer

Date posted: 2y

@harper8 Thank you so much, I’ve been making sure to sleep in the same room as my partner since I usually like sleeping alone. But I can’t be alone with my head like this and find comfort in company. Thank you so much for responding and giving me hope…I’m just exhausted and want to sleep

Locna

Date posted: 2y

I wake up in shock. It's the worst.

neither_freer

Date posted: 2y

@Pillows Every time my eyes close and I’m almost asleep, I feel my heart start to race and my stomach drop. Idk what to do, I try and take Benadryl but it does nothing. The only thing that helps is benzos but I quit taking them a year ago and don’t want to rely on meds, ya know? Thanks so much for responding, it helps me feel less alone

Locna

Date posted: 2y

@neither_freer Yes I can never nap it's impossible. Thank you for sharing too!

[Deleted]

Date posted: 2y

Comment deleted by user

neither_freer

Date posted: 2y

@The Anxious Go Getter Girl I’m exhausted, I’ve been staying up all night lately and then pass out on occasion after I take some sleeping meds. I’m just worried about it all day and all night. Thank you so much for reaching out, it makes me feel less isolate

Anonymous

Date posted: 13w

Im not sure if you are still here but any updates on how are you doing and how you got through this?

Anonymous

Date posted: 24w

Afraid I’ll never be able to stop thinking

My OCD has been terrible the for the past two weeks. I have a fear that I will never be able to get out of the thought loop. I am hyper aware of my thoughts and it disturbs me. I haven’t been able to eat for 10 days. I force myself. I haven’t been able to sleep for more than a couple hours. Then I wake up and ruminate for a couple hours, until I’m exhausted. I’m also afraid I’ll never sleep well again. And I’m afraid I’ll never eat and enjoy my food again. I’m afraid I’ll never be able to stop thinking about this enough to enjoy my family ever again.

"Pure" OCD

viluamorim

Date posted: 24w

Can you guys meditate or/and sit in silence?

My ocd gets so loud in the silence and right before bed when there’s no distractions. I always struggled with anxiety since my teens and guided meditation used to help… until OCD. First time trying guided meditation with OCD I had an intrusive thought of “what if you actually lose control and can’t follow these instructions?” And got even more anxious 🫠🫠🫠 had to stop, and haven’t tried to meditate ever since. Just curious to know. Sometimes I feel like I have the worst type of OCD. It will latch onto anything to make me anxious!

Anonymous

Date posted: 22w

Sleep and OCD?

Does anyone else's OCD get worse when you haven't slept well? I haven't been sleeping well since this weekend and my OCD and anxiety is just making me feel super down. Does anyone else have this problem?

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