Posted by yxibow on February 10, 2006, at 1:18:37
In reply to Re: My worst enemy......me too., posted by spriggy on February 9, 2006, at 22:53:02
A lot of people with varying psychiatric disorders have insomnia. (and even those without.) I too dread the night sometimes. But there are psychological reasons too -- I guess I also have a fear of death, and so staying up is like a vain attempt to resist another day of life counted by. I don't always feel that way but that's part of it. I think I've been a lifelong insomniac.
The best sleep hygiene (and this is like do as I say not as I do) is to resist all daytime naps, stay up several days to reset your clock and go to bed at around the same time most all days. This doesn't guarantee you'll fall asleep at the same time, but it helps add to a more proper REM cycle.
Also, the best sleep medications are the ones designed solely for sleep, Ambien/Ambien CR, Lunesta, Sonata, (and possibly Rozerem although melatonin has a problem of being a hormone that could interact with depression). These, and a low dose of unfortunately fattening Remeron, generally promote the best REM cycle. Benadryl and alcohol and the like are poor and generally both interupt this and also cause post-sleep depression. Convince your doctor that you really need a medication that (and they all have been used long term in many patients) can be used long term and promotes a positive sleep cycle, if you are in need of sleep aids.
To counting sheep
-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:608110
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060205/msgs/608205.html