Loneliness at night

[Bubblemama]

Well here I am again. Gone 1.30am and I'm still wide awake.

Why do things always seem worse at night?
Why is it that at thus time of night I need to talk to someone?

My husband and children are fast asleep. I look at them and get cross.....why can't I sleep like that????

When I had my last episode of depression I was so exhausted that I just slept and slept and slept.
It seems this time I am the total opposite. Taking sleeping tablets worries me because I don't like the idea that if my husband isn't here and my children wake up and need me in the night, I may not hear them.
I've tried the hot bath, milky drink and relaxation before bedtime routine but still nothing works.

Does any one else feel the same way or experience the same problems??? Xxxx

[willows]

I could have written your post myself only I don't have a partner so really find nights loneliest of all. I was on mirtazapine which did help me sleep but I had to come off it for various reasons and now I am back to getting no or very little sleep

[sad sack]

the night is always worse for me... I can be very busy during the day, I'm always on the go...so things don't really bother me...

it's when I get home and into bed.... my mind keeps going and i have no-one to talk to... about my day or anything...

[Bubblemama]

Thank you for your replys.

I'm so sorry to hear that you guys are struggling with sleep too. What an absolutely exhausting process.

I have now been awake since 7.30 yesterday morning. I was busy all day cleaning, ironing, cooking, entertaining my children and went to work. I was so tired when I got home. My dinner and a very hot bath was waiting for me. Bliss I thought. After having a good talk and a cry with my husband I felt ready for bed. 8 hours later I am still here wide awake. Nothing seems to enable me to switch off enough to sleep.

Xxxx

[Anthony 996]

You are not alone.. Trust me on that ....

[PaulaJo]

I hear you. Being sleepless at night is the pits. The hours just fly by. I sometimes take a phenergan (10 or 25mg, depending on how I'm feeling) as suggested by my GP.

My therapist taught me a really good meditation exercised, which I've used a few times, most notably one night when my mind was racing with anxiety. I used the meditation and nearly fell asleep on the sofa.
I do realise though that your situation is probably very different to mine, and you may be on medication that is different to mine, which affects you differently.

[KateG]

I always had insomnia, long before I developed depression. Being awake in the middle of the night is very lonely indeed. After I came off mirtazapine and wasn't knocked out 12 hrs a day, I found hypnosis worked until I got a regular sleep pattern again. That may be worth a try?

Avoid sleeping tablets if you can manage it, they are really nasty to withdraw from  %^%

[Bubblemama]

Thanks for your replies guys.

Sleeping tablets are not an option due to me being alone with my children most nights whilst my husband works.
Going to try a few new relaxation techniques suggested to me by my counsellor xxxx

[woozywoo]

I understand the loneliness. Its horrible. You long for someone 2 talk 2,discuss things that are worrying you,talk about what's in your head.

I am still awake now,it ten to four and i just cannot sleep. Have tried lots of things and not every nite is as bad as this,but after having a nite like this,i find it takes ages 2 recover!

Grrr!

[PaulaJo]

Hi Bubblemama,
Hope the relaxation techniques work. I find they often help me - hope the same for you!  *()

[Dianosaur]

I feel your frustration. I find it so difficult to fall asleep and when I finally do, I wake up constantly, through the night.
I even get angry at my cat, when she sleeps at the end of my bed, especially since all she seems to do is sleep.
Wish I was a cat.

[SuBee]

I wonder if it might help insomnia to treat it not as an enemy but as, well, almost a friend -  be defiant about it. Look at it as time to read or do something quiet like knitting or watch a quiet DVD (not 'Scarface')!  This might relax the brain enough to get sleepy naturally.

Sorry if this is facile - it's just a suggestion, though I expect it's been made before.  "!+