Sleep anxiety

I have been struggling with sleep anxiety ocd since August of last year. I had two weeks of either not sleeping or sleeping very little until my therapist, myself, and my support system managed to get me back on track. I set up a sleep routine and everything was good. The routine became compulsive though. And the last two days I have struggled to fall asleep, I stood up late each night and eventually passed out (which is great but I got five hours of sleep each night). Wasn’t sure why I retracted. My question is how does one conquer this? I don’t have insurance yet so I can’t start legit therapy but when I do does ERP help this or CBT-I? My therapist suggested medicine with therapy since my OCD is so bad. I’m not quite sure but I’d like to sleep whenever wherever without worry about it.

brookeburch

Date posted: Yesterday

Are you scared to sleep or is it something else bothering you?

nicknotniki

Date posted: Yesterday

@brookeburch I’m scared that I won’t fall asleep and will like never be able to (even tho I have been sleeping which is so good) and it’s only cause those two weeks of sleep issues really got to my core.

brookeburch

Date posted: Yesterday

@nicknotniki Okay! I’ve never experienced that before but I have experienced being scared to sleep. One thing that helped me was sleeping next to someone weather that be a spouse or if you live at home with your parents maybe a parent or a sibling. Have someone next to you can reassure your nervous system, and also taking something to calm your body down. Maybe a sleep time tea before bed or some sleep medicine?!

blep

Date posted: Yesterday

oh i had this really badly when i was a teenager truthfully the only thing that helped me when it was this bad (i couldn't sleep at all or only for couple of hours) was medication when i improved and got some necessary rest i just had to accept that some nights would be tough and i wouldn't be able to fall asleep. yes i would be miserable the next day but i can always try the next day

nicknotniki

Date posted: Yesterday

@blep Wow, so I’m totally not alone on this one! I’ve been sleeping every night and not on medicine just some nights are harder than others and that’s when my ocd spikes. And ofc throughout the day intrusive thoughts on not getting sleep. So the medicine helped you out in the end? Like makes it easier not as much panic?

blep

Date posted: Yesterday

@nicknotniki thats good! yes medicine helped me to calm down and fall asleep easier. but they worked for a short while bc benzos are addictive when i couldnt fall asleep i tried to do something else - watching tv, reading a book, drinking tea. bc tossing and turning endlessly is tortuous and gave me so much anxiety then i tried to not associate my bed with the place i felt anxious about - i got nice smelling essence oils and candles, tried to relax as much as possible the most crucial thing is accepting that you wouldn't be getting much sleep and thats okay you're strong and can survive that i know this is really difficult and i still struggle with this sometimes

nicknotniki

Date posted: 18h

@blep Thank you 🥹🥹 this is like nice to hear it makes me feel less alone. Now I’m just worried about travel how I’ll manage with my sleep routine and being away from home. But this calmed the nerves.

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