Struggling with sleep due to fear of uncontrollable thoughts; need advice.

Haven’t slept in a week

Hi I haven’t slept in a week because I’m so afraid of my thoughts and not being able to control them or work through them by ruminating. I’ve slept a few hours here and there but I wake up with this really scary fear response/adrenaline rush because i feel like I know I was thinking something really disturbing in my sleep but I wasn’t conscious enough to remember it and the adrenaline is so intense that I feel like if I can’t remember what the dreams were I don’t know what I will do. Sometimes I run to the shower and turn on the water and just rock back and forth on the floor because I’m so afraid of my thoughts. I have such a hard time letting myself relax enough to fall asleep because I can feel myself losing control over my thoughts in my half asleep state and it feels like I’m tripping or something. Does anyone else feel like this? How do you get yourself to fall asleep? Any advice? Thank you

POCD

Username: collinmcollinm

Date posted: 32w ago

What helps me is understanding that I can't control my dreams. It's hard to accept that I can't control them but it's the truth. And I've had some very explecit dreams, some of which I enjoyed (in my dreams). But I know that I would never do those things in real life (its hard convincing myself of that as well sometimes). Going back over events or thoughts always makes them worse and often end in the wrong conclusion (or at least that's what I'm told). It's hard to break that cycle of ruminating but it's even harder when you haven't slept. Accept that you can't control your dreams and that you might have horrible thoughts and feelings when you're asleep, but also you might not. I hope it helps.

Username: dakotashaw0dakotashaw0

Date posted: 32w ago

Remember that rumination is a compulsion. But, the false promise of the compulsion is that if you ruminate long enough or hard enough, you will seek the peace you are looking for. You never get it or rarely get it for a substantial amount of time because its promise is false. Try to identify what your triggers are that prompt you to ruminate. And once again, it’s very very uncomfortable, but try not to ruminate. Let the anxiety wash through you without fighting it over and over and eventually you will be able to say “this feeling is not me or what I believe or what is the truth.” It’s a journey and one I’m still learning and on and struggling with. And there are some articles I can send to help if you’d like me to.

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 32w ago

@dakotashaw0 Thank you for your response. Im trying so hard not to ruminate. I am hopeful I will get there soon. Sometimes i feel like i let something go and did good and then I get anxiety later trying to remember what it was because I feel like I have to think about it one more time. I would love for you to send the articles

Username: collinmcollinm

Date posted: 32w ago

@Anonymous I would appreciate those articles as well 🙏

Username: dakotashaw0dakotashaw0

Date posted: 32w ago

@Anonymous https://theocdandanxietycenter.com/rumination/ https://markdejesus.com/how-i-stopped-ruminating/ https://thewaveclinic.com/blog/the-science-of-rumination-intrusive-thoughts-and-ocd-understanding-the-inner-workings-of-our-minds/ Also checkout the mark DeJesus podcast he has alot of helpful stuff

Username: dakotashaw0dakotashaw0

Date posted: 32w ago

@collinm https://theocdandanxietycenter.com/rumination/ https://markdejesus.com/how-i-stopped-ruminating/ https://thewaveclinic.com/blog/the-science-of-rumination-intrusive-thoughts-and-ocd-understanding-the-inner-workings-of-our-minds/ Also checkout the mark DeJesus podcast he has alot of helpful stuff

Username: elliss2elliss2

Date posted: 32w ago

@dakotashaw0 He does! I bought one of his book since I can read again. Thanks to it, I’m able to remove the last layers of OCD 🙏 Not getting paid to write this!

Username: Jakiss12

Date posted: 3y ago

Obsessive thoughts about being unable to sleep are causing insomnia. Has anyone experienced this or have any advice?

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.

Username: Alyssa1995

Date posted: 40w ago

Sleep anxiety

Has anyone experienced fear of not falling asleep? I have never had sleep issues before but after a bout of jet lag 3 months ago, my sleep has been terrible. This last week, I’ve only managed to sleep 3-5 hours a night because I’m just so SCARED of not sleeping. I’m unable to function because I’m obsessing about not sleeping and the terrifying effects it has on the mind and body. I’m afraid I’m going to end up losing my mind from not sleeping. Last night I was able to get 4 hours of deep sleep, but I was in bed for a total of 14 hours and just tossed and turned. Can anyone relate to this? I’m so scared I’ve been vomiting and nonstop crying 💔😭

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond

Struggling with sleep due to fear of uncontrollable thoughts; need advice.

Related posts

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Be a part of the largest OCD Community