I can’t sleep at night

Ever since I started 5th grade I’ve had a lot of trouble sleeping. At one point I could sleep up to 15 hours at once because it was like my mind trapped me there and my whole body and thought process was frozen outside of the real world. At another point in time I was obsessed with getting exactly 8 hours. Now, I cannot sleep at night no matter how tired I am. It’s as if sleeping when it’s dark outside makes my intrusive thoughts worse. But as soon as the sun starts to rise, I pass out and stay asleep forever and just like before, I get stuck in my sleep. My dreams become awful, endless nightmares (I’ve had these since I was 4 or 5 but they’ve somehow gotten worse). Like I have no idea what I’m going to do once the nights get longer during fall and winter and I have to go to classes during the day. Part of it may be medication or my other medical condition but a lot of it seems like it’s a part of my OCD or another mental illness. Has anyone else had a sleep problem like this?

Username: slwilliams83slwilliams83

Date posted: 1y ago

I have had horrific insomnia since I was a little kid, and my OCD set in when I was about 7. They work hand in hand for me - the obsessions always get louder and the compulsions stronger at night, and some of them revolve around sleep. My original obsessive fear was not waking up, or waking up to find my parents deceased. That's not the pressing one anymore but my brain still won't turn the heck off.

Username: lbzzlbzz

Date posted: 1y ago

5th grade? Rather young, are ya getting professional help for your OCD bud? Never had sleep probs with my OCD

Username: vaIentinevaIentine

Date posted: 1y ago

@lbzz my ocd has caused some serious sleepness nights 😅 i guess it depends on the theme and how excruciating it can be for someone

Username: lbzzlbzz

Date posted: 1y ago

@luelleiie Yeah, OCD has made me habe trouble sleeping cuz the thoughts are some nagging little freaks

Username: Stacy QuickStacy Quick

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 1y ago

Sleep problems can be very common. I do agree that you should be seeing a professional to help guide you through this as it sounds very hard to deal with this. I cannot give medical advice but I do think you need to be assessed by a medical professional for this. It could be anything- medication-related, anxiety-related, etc. Hard to say. Have you had ERP/therapy? If you would like to learn more about this-Our Care Team will typically begin with a free 15-minute call to discuss treatment, answer any questions you have, and book your first appointment. Please feel free to schedule a convenient time that works best for you here: https://learn.nocd.com/scheduler

Username: ma1352

Date posted: 2y ago

Ruminating

I have always suffered from OCD. It keeps changing from one thing to another. I take medication and I used to see an OCD therapist who helped me tremendously. My new OCD is that if I wake up around 4 am, I can’t go back to sleep. I have been fighting it for two months. My psychiatrist wants to increase or change my med. I’m not sure about that. Do you have any suggestions how to deal with this? Lack of sleep has interfered with life in such a horrible way.

Username: Mitch4

Date posted: 49w ago

Having trouble sleeping

I’ve been sleeping great for the last few months, but just recently I have been having a hard time sleeping at night even if I try to take a nap. So obviously I’m more tired than normal, which makes my ocd worse. Now when I try to fall I sleep i have anxiety flare up and makes it even harder to fall asleep. I’m literally tired trying to fall asleep relaxed and comfortable and can’t. Does anyone else have this problem?

Username: xfrankx

Date posted: 41w ago

I Don’t Sleep

One more question for y’all! I’m sure this is many of us, but I literally cannot sleep. If I do fall asleep, I maybe drift off for an hour or two. Then, I’m startled awake….intrusive thoughts running wild, heart racing….and then I lie awake the rest of the night. Just stuck in panic mode until the sun comes up. Then I have to start the day…already being in the rabbit hole for hours. I’ve tried every natural “remedy” nothing works. I’ve tried the pharmaceutical route…that also doesn’t work! Sleep has now become the enemy and I’d rather just stay awake all night. Does anyone have anything that helps them?? I’m desperate. The body/mind can’t heal without proper sleep. Also…and maybe folks can speak to this too. I’m back on my SSRI (3.5 weeks in) after being off for a few months (mistake). It’s torture waiting for the effects to kick in.

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I can’t sleep at night

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