Problem with sleep

Guys please help. Did anyone of you find a way to break the sleep obsession cycle? For my whole life I was able to fall asleep in 10-20 minutes. Had one sleepless night few days ago due to being excited yet scared for a special day. Since then I have this fuck up in my head that even though I'm tired as hell I cannot fall asleep because I'm still checking it. It's like don't think of a pink elephant. I am naturally not the type that would have difficulties with sleep. It's because this obsession. I know my thoughts cannot just disappear so I have to find a way to work with it somehow. Any help appreciated. Thank you very much.

Username: luna7.0luna7.0

Date posted: 42w ago

I listen to white noise to drown out my thoughts. Most nights even that can't help me and I stay awake throughout the night finally falling asleep at 5am or 6 am due to exhaustion.

Username: alyssabowmanalyssabowman

Date posted: 42w ago

Sleep obsession I honestly think is the worst cycle ever. I find when I think it’s the end of the world that’s when it is at its worst. I try to distract myself in anyway by watching ASMR or any sort of relaxing videos to help me fall asleep. Maybe reading could help, or there’s some apps of like relaxing mind games. I also find that my thoughts are the worst when my room is silent so I bought a fan to have white noise on. If you also search fan noise on YouTube there’s a couple good ones that are just good to have on in the background. Also going to bed too early is never good because you’re just laying there with your thoughts for a long time. These are all just a couple of things that I’ve noticed have helped me a lot. No promises, but I really hope this can help you.

Username: Dan8421Dan8421

Date posted: 42w ago

Thank you Alyssa, and feel ya. Do you know Nate Peterson? Last night this video helped me: https://youtu.be/L__Li4RSuF8?si=ZhFZ5zUjc3NpmH9J He is really an angel when it comes to OCD.:)

Username: Dan8421Dan8421

Date posted: 42w ago

And don't give up, this won't be the case for too long. Either approaching a specialist or learning how to work with your thoughts will finally help. Right now superhelpful for me is not trying to sleep, allowing myself to spend a night just with closed eyes and relaxing on my own. The moment of falling asleep may come in the next minute, in an hour and maybe just not for today. But I will try not to change it, I would just focus on the chill and when it comes it comes. It is basically the advice from the video I sent you, it was first night for me trying it out and gotta say it works somehow. I got at least some of the sleep. So I will practise it and we'll see. Hope it helps and thank you for reaching out to me.:)

Username: alyssabowmanalyssabowman

Date posted: 42w ago

@Dan8421 Thank you so much, I will check out Nate Peterson. That’s really good advice that I’ll try out. Thanks!

Username: ZeldaKorr32ZeldaKorr32

Date posted: 42w ago

hey, i really feel for you. dealing with sleep issues, especially when they stem from obsessive thoughts, is super tough. it sounds exhausting to be caught in that cycle, especially when you're used to falling asleep easily. 💤 by the way, have you heard about this new AI-powered OCD therapy tool called 'unstuck'? i've been where you are, and what really helped me was this free AI OCD therapy tool called "unstuck" (unstuckmyOCD.com/try) that my NOCD therapist recommended. i think it'll be especially helpful for you because it's designed to provide personalized, step-by-step support for breaking cycles like the one you're experiencing with sleep. it's like having an OCD therapist in your pocket, guiding you through those tough moments. i hate when people promote stuff, but i really think it can help you because it's changed my life. lmk if you have Qs or just want to talk more! <3

Username: Dan8421Dan8421

Date posted: 42w ago

Oh thank you for the tip, will try that:)

Username: ZeldaKorr32ZeldaKorr32

Date posted: 42w ago

@Dan8421 - you're welcome! please take care.

Username: Charles497746

Date posted: 5y ago

Currently really anxious. Lately I've had the obsession that I won't be able to sleep again. I lay down at night, doze off for 15min to and hour, then wake up even more anxious like "I won't be able to fall back asleep again."

Username: zaynab

Date posted: 5y ago

I have work at 4am tomorrow and normally am asleep by 9 or 10 at the latest to be up by 2:30. But the thoughts are so bad I’m afraid of even closing my eyes and lately I’ve been going to bed at 6pm to fall asleep by midnight. I’m so over this. Any tips for falling asleep without getting bad thoughts. I keep picturing imperfect things or reliving every event that triggered me throughout the day. Last night I literally tried falling asleep without closing my eyes (which is impossible) then had to work today running on 3 hours of heavily interrupted sleep. I’m so exhausted and just over this.

Username: xfrankx

Date posted: 46w 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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