A question about insomnia for those who used to have

[jimboy]

it? im 14 and ive had insomnia for 4 months now probably because of either clinical depression or anxiety or the stupid times i went to bed during the summer holiday and other different things...my depression and anxiety went after 8 months. I can't really talk much to my friends or do my work properly.i dont worry but i have a very busy mind with music and random thoughts etc... im not resorting to sleeping pills so im wondering whether those who refused pills and followed the routine (going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time and exercising etc) how long it took them for their insomnia to go?at times i dont have enough time to follow the routine because of lots of homework which screws everything up but i have a nice 2 month holiday coming up in one month...* could tell mefifth paragraph

[badmuthafucka]

Look man I feel you. I also suffer from depression, anxiety problems and, insomnia. I am not advocating drug use but the only thing that helps me sleeps is if I smoke a little weed before I go to bed. You should probably talk to you parents and maybe try some type of low dosage sleep medication. Like I used to take lexapro and it has some sleeping pill qualities to and it works as an anti-depressant. Idk if it helped the depression that much but it did help me sleep. good luck

[j_lesta]

Being consistent with bed times definitely helps. Use your upcoming holiday to get back into a routine. For me, following a routine resolved the insomnia in about a week or two. Also, steer clear of caffeine in the evenings. Also, sometimes a hot shower or bath before turning in can relax you and help make you good and tired. If you are having issues with anxiety and depression you should talk to someone about it. People can often be dismissive of mood problems in people your age, and though a certain amount of moodiness is normal, if it's hurting your friendships and your schoolwork, then it's time to get your parents involved. And I'm sure you've heard this sort of thing before, but being the age you are, a certain amount of sleep disruption is normal. A lot of teenagers turn into nightowls, and also generally require more sleep than usual anyway, and neither of these mesh particularly well with a busy schedule of school and extra-curricular activities. Good luck, and sweet dreams!

[a.lynae87]

i have insomnia. i've had it for about 15 years or so. i've been on prescription medicines but they always made me feel low and like i was in a slump. but that was almost 10 years ago. i don't know about the medicines out now, but i do want to try ambien cr. the only way i can get sleep is by taking pills, i've tried any and everything else. and i know you said you dont want to use any medicines, but what i do is very helpful and i thought it could help you. i usually take 2 tylenol pm, any pm pain medicine will work, i prefer tylenol. i usually have a headache after trying so hard to fall asleep but if not the tylenol pm still works. another medicine i like is melatonex - the company is sunsource. melatonex contains melatonin which is one of the chemicals that regulates sleep/wake cycles so its a very safe medicine. both of these pills are safe to take, and non addictive. melatonex usually takes about an hour to get me tired. the tylenol takes longer.and by the way, insomnia isn't like a cold that goes away after awhile. if you have it- you have it. and you need to find ways to correct it. your body's chemistry is off, your timing and hormones are set backwards- this isn't something that corrects itself with time, its something youll have to deal with forever. just remember that.good lucj and i hope you find somethign that works for you!

[Vishal Rao]

[QUOTE=jimboy;41544]i dont worry but i have a very busy mind with music and random thoughts etc... im not resorting to sleeping pills so im wondering whether those who refused pills and followed the routine (going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time and exercising etc) how long it took them for their insomnia to go?[/QUOTE]

You said you don't worry but keep your mind busy with music and random thoughts. Well music is good, but not thoughts. A busy mind never helps you sleep deeply. Learn to relax first using technique like meditation, deep breathing. Routine doesn't help much if your mind is out of control. I had been suffering for insomnia for over 10 years and still wake up in the middle of night. I have tried all sorts of medications and therapies but nothing helped me but meditation and learning to relax. I have an hyper-active mind and meditation has helped me tremendously to stay focussed and relaxed, which eventually has lessened my sleep woes.