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Sleeping and depression
Jeune1 posted:
So I've found there are two times of day I could do without. One is right after I go to bed. My Inner Critic has a lot to say about what I failed to do during the day and what I'll fail to do tomorrow and what that failure will mean and so on and so on. Is it any wonder that I struggle with insomnia? The other is right after I wake up. Boom! There's the Inner Critic, which probably hasn't shut up all night, with the gloom and doom. And does it have something to say about what I (we?) see in the bathroom mirror first thing in the morning? You bet. So, if I could just avoid going to sleep or waking up, everything would be peachy.
I just wish there was a way to get over those two humps. I can understand why right before I fall asleep is prime Inner Critic playtime. I'm tired and run down at the end of the day, I'm trying not to actively think so I can go to sleep. But shouldn't I feel better after a decent night's sleep (brought to you by Trazodone)? I thought sleeping was supposed to recharge the body. All it seems to do is recharge my depression.
I just wish there was a way to get over those two humps. I can understand why right before I fall asleep is prime Inner Critic playtime. I'm tired and run down at the end of the day, I'm trying not to actively think so I can go to sleep. But shouldn't I feel better after a decent night's sleep (brought to you by Trazodone)? I thought sleeping was supposed to recharge the body. All it seems to do is recharge my depression.
21 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionSo I've found there are two times of day I could do without. One is right after I go to bed. My Inner Critic has a lot to say about what I failed to do during the day and what I'll fail to do tomorrow and what that failure will mean and so on and so on. Is it any wonder that I struggle with insomnia? The other is right after I wake up. Boom! There's the Inner Critic, which probably hasn't shut up all night, with the gloom and doom. And does it have something to say about what I (we?) see in the bathroom mirror first thing in the morning? You bet. So, if I could just avoid going to sleep or waking up, everything would be peachy. <br /><br />I just wish there was a way to get over those two humps. I can understand why right before I fall asleep is prime Inner Critic playtime. I'm tired and run down at the end of the day, I'm trying not to actively think so I can go to sleep. But shouldn't I feel better after a decent night's sleep (brought to you by Trazodone)? I thought sleeping was supposed to recharge the body. All it seems to do is recharge my depression.
alaska_mommy responded:
Hmm, I can totally get the going to bed thing, sometimes that's why I avoid going to bed until I'm exhausted. Then it doesn't take as long to fall asleep. But first thing in the am....all I can think of is how I feel in the morning, which is, world please go away and let me stay in bed. Do I have to get up now? I wonder if it's the dread of facing another day and having to battle depression again. Or even waking up and realizing you're still here and wishing you weren't? Not sure, Jeune. But I understand.
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionHmm, I can totally get the going to bed thing, sometimes that's why I avoid going to bed until I'm exhausted. Then it doesn't take as long to fall asleep. But first thing in the am....all I can think of is how I feel in the morning, which is, world please go away and let me stay in bed. Do I have to get up now? I wonder if it's the dread of facing another day and having to battle depression again. Or even waking up and realizing you're still here and wishing you weren't? Not sure, Jeune. But I understand.
Chez1 responded:
Hey Jeune, I have been sitting trying to think of an answer or suggestion for you but mind has gone blank.What I do want to share is, I am well aware and can fully sympathise with you on the lack of sleep and how it can drain you.
Keep working on your cbt to fight your inner critic and try giving it a swift kick in the butt.
Hope it gets better for you soon
x
Keep working on your cbt to fight your inner critic and try giving it a swift kick in the butt.
Hope it gets better for you soon
x
People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily....... Zig Ziglar
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionHey Jeune, I have been sitting trying to think of an answer or suggestion for you but mind has gone blank.What I do want to share is, I am well aware and can fully sympathise with you on the lack of sleep and how it can drain you. <br />Keep working on your cbt to fight your inner critic and try giving it a swift kick in the butt. <br />Hope it gets better for you soon<br />x
Thanks A_M & C1. Not feeling great today. Fell asleep around 11 woke up at 3 and didn't really get back to sleep after. The only nice thing about waking up is I know my husband won't be upset by waking up with a cooling corpse.
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionThanks A_M & C1. Not feeling great today. Fell asleep around 11 woke up at 3 and didn't really get back to sleep after. The only nice thing about waking up is I know my husband won't be upset by waking up with a cooling corpse.
Demons2011 replied to Jeune1's response:
Jeune1 naughty joke on the cooling. Just wondering have you been checked for sleep apnea? Your taking sleeping aids and still not rested.
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Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionJeune1 naughty joke on the cooling. Just wondering have you been checked for sleep apnea? Your taking sleeping aids and still not rested. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />/
alaska_mommy replied to Jeune1's response:
Hey Jeune, I'm sorry you had a rough night. And I hope the thought of your husband waking up next to rigor mortis is not too appealing to you. I know sometimes we joke but there's some truth to it...
Didn't get too great of a nights' sleep myself. Little guy threw up twice in the night, I think just from all the phlegm in his nose and throat. So we were up for awhile cleaning up throw up and watching a little TV till he felt better.
Didn't get too great of a nights' sleep myself. Little guy threw up twice in the night, I think just from all the phlegm in his nose and throat. So we were up for awhile cleaning up throw up and watching a little TV till he felt better.
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionHey Jeune, I'm sorry you had a rough night. And I hope the thought of your husband waking up next to rigor mortis is not too appealing to you. I know sometimes we joke but there's some truth to it...<br />Didn't get too great of a nights' sleep myself. Little guy threw up twice in the night, I think just from all the phlegm in his nose and throat. So we were up for awhile cleaning up throw up and watching a little TV till he felt better.
Jeune1 responded:
[TRIGGER>
Thanks all. Sorry I went too dark with the humor. Joking about unfunny things is one of my weird coping mechanisms. If someone flags it for deletion, I'll understand. But yes, the thought of how others would react does go a long way to keeping me me from doing something stupid and KNOWING it would upset my husband is the final argument when my Inner Critic becomes particularly vile. But I could have phrased that better. Or not at all.
D2011, no I haven't thanks for the suggestion. My main doctor knows I have insomnia (and that I smoke, tut tut) and he has never suggested it. I can always just go to a specialist though. Usually what happens is I wake up a little, as people do but if I don't fall asleep before my mind starts whirring again, I'm going to be awake for a while. It doesn't help that my reaction to waking up in the middle of the night is to freak out because I'm awake.
A_M. Sorry your boy is sick. I hope he feels better soon. Again, sorry about the comment.
Thanks all. Sorry I went too dark with the humor. Joking about unfunny things is one of my weird coping mechanisms. If someone flags it for deletion, I'll understand. But yes, the thought of how others would react does go a long way to keeping me me from doing something stupid and KNOWING it would upset my husband is the final argument when my Inner Critic becomes particularly vile. But I could have phrased that better. Or not at all.
D2011, no I haven't thanks for the suggestion. My main doctor knows I have insomnia (and that I smoke, tut tut) and he has never suggested it. I can always just go to a specialist though. Usually what happens is I wake up a little, as people do but if I don't fall asleep before my mind starts whirring again, I'm going to be awake for a while. It doesn't help that my reaction to waking up in the middle of the night is to freak out because I'm awake.
A_M. Sorry your boy is sick. I hope he feels better soon. Again, sorry about the comment.
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depression[TRIGGER><br /><br />Thanks all. Sorry I went too dark with the humor. Joking about unfunny things is one of my weird coping mechanisms. If someone flags it for deletion, I'll understand. But yes, the thought of how others would react does go a long way to keeping me me from doing something stupid and KNOWING it would upset my husband is the final argument when my Inner Critic becomes particularly vile. But I could have phrased that better. Or not at all.<br /><br />D2011, no I haven't thanks for the suggestion. My main doctor knows I have insomnia (and that I smoke, tut tut) and he has never suggested it. I can always just go to a specialist though. Usually what happens is I wake up a little, as people do but if I don't fall asleep before my mind starts whirring again, I'm going to be awake for a while. It doesn't help that my reaction to waking up in the middle of the night is to freak out because I'm awake.<br /><br />A_M. Sorry your boy is sick. I hope he feels better soon. Again, sorry about the comment.
alaska_mommy replied to Jeune1's response:
Hey Jeune, nah it didn't bother me with the humor, I guess I just wanted to feel out if that was your way of jokingly expressing what you really felt. Just cause if it was, I was going to be concerned for ya. Sheesh I am such a worry-wart, I worry about everything, including you guys on here.
But I tend to have a bit of a perverse sense of humor so it didn't bother me at all.
May I suggest herbs for those middle of the night wakings? Have you tried chamomile, or there is Tension Tamer tea? Also for me I have these things called Moon Drops, they're like a little losenge that you dissolve in your mouth, has valerian root and chamomile and other calming herbs. It usually kicks in within a half an hour (much like any other oral medication). There's also "Calms" by Hyland's, Rescue Remedy, and much, much more! LOL. I would just suggest the herbal route because then you're not waking up drowsy from an OTC sleep aid. And it just takes the edge off your anxiety so you can relax and get back to sleeping. Hope you can get some better rest tonight.
But I tend to have a bit of a perverse sense of humor so it didn't bother me at all.
May I suggest herbs for those middle of the night wakings? Have you tried chamomile, or there is Tension Tamer tea? Also for me I have these things called Moon Drops, they're like a little losenge that you dissolve in your mouth, has valerian root and chamomile and other calming herbs. It usually kicks in within a half an hour (much like any other oral medication). There's also "Calms" by Hyland's, Rescue Remedy, and much, much more! LOL. I would just suggest the herbal route because then you're not waking up drowsy from an OTC sleep aid. And it just takes the edge off your anxiety so you can relax and get back to sleeping. Hope you can get some better rest tonight.
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionHey Jeune, nah it didn't bother me with the humor, I guess I just wanted to feel out if that was your way of jokingly expressing what you really felt. Just cause if it was, I was going to be concerned for ya. Sheesh I am such a worry-wart, I worry about everything, including you guys on here. <br />But I tend to have a bit of a perverse sense of humor so it didn't bother me at all. <br />May I suggest herbs for those middle of the night wakings? Have you tried chamomile, or there is Tension Tamer tea? Also for me I have these things called Moon Drops, they're like a little losenge that you dissolve in your mouth, has valerian root and chamomile and other calming herbs. It usually kicks in within a half an hour (much like any other oral medication). There's also "Calms" by Hyland's, Rescue Remedy, and much, much more! LOL. I would just suggest the herbal route because then you're not waking up drowsy from an OTC sleep aid. And it just takes the edge off your anxiety so you can relax and get back to sleeping. Hope you can get some better rest tonight.
sunflower62509 replied to alaska_mommy's response:
You keep mentioning the Tension Tamer tea so I bought some. God knows where my mind was when I picked up the box because after having a cup I went in the kitchen and realized I bought Senna-something or other tea...for constipation!!! I really must be losing it. I am going out later and will pay careful attention this time to the box!!
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionYou keep mentioning the Tension Tamer tea so I bought some. God knows where my mind was when I picked up the box because after having a cup I went in the kitchen and realized I bought Senna-something or other tea...for constipation!!! I really must be losing it. I am going out later and will pay careful attention this time to the box!!
alaska_mommy replied to sunflower62509's response:
I'm sorry but I had to laugh, I guess at least you won't have to worry about being constipated! I hope next time around you come home with Tension Tamer though! 
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionI'm sorry but I had to laugh, I guess at least you won't have to worry about being constipated! I hope next time around you come home with Tension Tamer though! <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/wink.gif" align="top" border="0">
sunflower62509 replied to alaska_mommy's response:
Haha, I will! Glad I could make someone laugh a little today!
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionHaha, I will! Glad I could make someone laugh a little today!
deasertrose responded:
Jeune I know how you feel. When I go to bed at night I can't turn off all the critical thoughts off until the traodone kicks in that is. Then i have weird dreams and do I mean weird. I hate the morning cause I have to wake up. I'm so tired that if I don't have to work or have a dr. appointment I just stay in bed. That is until I here the garage door open. Then I have to get up.I also take a nap after I go out. I just deal with this anymore. I wish they would find a medicine that would level out this mess.
I don't know what to tell you cause I'm there with ya. I guess take it one day at a time like you are doing. Take care and I hope you feel better.
I don't know what to tell you cause I'm there with ya. I guess take it one day at a time like you are doing. Take care and I hope you feel better.
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionJeune I know how you feel. When I go to bed at night I can't turn off all the critical thoughts off until the traodone kicks in that is. Then i have weird dreams and do I mean weird. I hate the morning cause I have to wake up. I'm so tired that if I don't have to work or have a dr. appointment I just stay in bed. That is until I here the garage door open. Then I have to get up.I also take a nap after I go out. I just deal with this anymore. I wish they would find a medicine that would level out this mess.<br />I don't know what to tell you cause I'm there with ya. I guess take it one day at a time like you are doing. Take care and I hope you feel better.
Jeune1 replied to sunflower62509's response:
At least you realized the mistake before you drank a big mug of it. Yikes!
Thanks for the kind comments everyone. Still woke up at 2 this morning. My therapist pointed out that low blood sugar can wake you up so I got out of bed and had some protein smoothie. Got a couple more hours sleep. This is a huge drag and I would like it to stop.
Thanks for the kind comments everyone. Still woke up at 2 this morning. My therapist pointed out that low blood sugar can wake you up so I got out of bed and had some protein smoothie. Got a couple more hours sleep. This is a huge drag and I would like it to stop.
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionAt least you realized the mistake before you drank a big mug of it. Yikes!<br /><br />Thanks for the kind comments everyone. Still woke up at 2 this morning. My therapist pointed out that low blood sugar can wake you up so I got out of bed and had some protein smoothie. Got a couple more hours sleep. This is a huge drag and I would like it to stop.
alaska_mommy replied to Jeune1's response:
Jeune, hmm so low blood sugar might be the culprit? I think sometimes too your body just gets in the habit, for example my son will go for awhile sometimes of waking up every night at 1am, and then if he doesn't wake up, I still wake up around that time because I'm used to it. So for you, you might be waking now because you've gotten in the groove of waking at that time.
Which sucks because how is someone supposed to fix that??
I'm glad you got some more sleep after eating, you could always keep some crackers or something by your bedside so you could grab a snack without having to get out of bed. Plus eating some protein at bedtime might help your blood sugar stay stable at night? Maybe? Just some thoughts...
Which sucks because how is someone supposed to fix that??
I'm glad you got some more sleep after eating, you could always keep some crackers or something by your bedside so you could grab a snack without having to get out of bed. Plus eating some protein at bedtime might help your blood sugar stay stable at night? Maybe? Just some thoughts...
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depressionJeune, hmm so low blood sugar might be the culprit? I think sometimes too your body just gets in the habit, for example my son will go for awhile sometimes of waking up every night at 1am, and then if he doesn't wake up, I still wake up around that time because I'm used to it. So for you, you might be waking now because you've gotten in the groove of waking at that time. <br />Which sucks because how is someone supposed to fix that??<br />I'm glad you got some more sleep after eating, you could always keep some crackers or something by your bedside so you could grab a snack without having to get out of bed. Plus eating some protein at bedtime might help your blood sugar stay stable at night? Maybe? Just some thoughts...
alaska_mommy replied to deasertrose's response:
deasertrose,
How you holding up? I'm glad you have trazadone to sleep, but that sucks that it gives you weird dreams. Are they creepy weird like nightmares? Or just bizarre? I seem to always have bizarre dreams whether on any medication or not, I think my brain is working overtime trying to process everything so it just lumps everything all together and I end up with dreams like last night, where I was working at a place that was like 3 of my past jobs all mashed together, helping a customer who turned violent and had a knife at my throat, then shot someone else (not fatally though). It didn't feel like a nightmare in that I wasn't feeling panicky in my dream, more like just high adrenaline like I gotta get help right away. Anyway, hope that wasn't too graphic for anyone. But bizarro dreams can definitely make you feel not very rested in the morning, especially if they're sort of stressful or anxious dreams.
I think I'm rambling here. I hope that you are doing ok, and I hear you on wishing for a magic medicine. I think they need to stop researching endangered rhinos in australia (lol or whatever it is they do) and start using that money to figure out a medication that will help depressed people feel relief right away! Instead of a month later (if you're lucky).
Take care.
Report This| Share this:Sleeping and depression<li>Poss Trigger*<br /><br />deasertrose, <br />How you holding up? I'm glad you have trazadone to sleep, but that sucks that it gives you weird dreams. Are they creepy weird like nightmares? Or just bizarre? I seem to always have bizarre dreams whether on any medication or not, I think my brain is working overtime trying to process everything so it just lumps everything all together and I end up with dreams like last night, where I was working at a place that was like 3 of my past jobs all mashed together, helping a customer who turned violent and had a knife at my throat, then shot someone else (not fatally though). It didn't feel like a nightmare in that I wasn't feeling panicky in my dream, more like just high adrenaline like I gotta get help right away. Anyway, hope that wasn't too graphic for anyone. But bizarro dreams can definitely make you feel not very rested in the morning, especially if they're sort of stressful or anxious dreams. <br />I think I'm rambling here. I hope that you are doing ok, and I hear you on wishing for a magic medicine. I think they need to stop researching endangered rhinos in australia (lol or whatever it is they do) and start using that money to figure out a medication that will help depressed people feel relief right away! Instead of a month later (if you're lucky). <br />Take care.
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