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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sleepynscared on August 13, 2002, at 15:31:13
this started about a year ago. i cant sleep. i have this thing where i feel its not "safe" to fall asleep till around 530am or close to when the sun comes up. if i lay down and hear a noise i have to get up and this goes on all night. and if i'm laying in bed i stare at my door as though waiting for someone or something to come get me and my kids...i had to move out of my home i was so afraid of sleeping there and its starting here now. i've been getting about 3hr of sleep i have two small children i stay home with and i cant function...i'm tired of being scared to sleep in my own home...in the light of day i realize that there is nothing out there to get me but i cant convince myself of that at bedtime..i've also become afraid of the dark..thinking something is waiting in it for me...when i go to lay down at night i have to check the closet and bathrooms before i can lay down if my husband does it i go behind him and look...he doesn't realize how bad this is for me...is there anyone with advice or anything !!!! i was prescribed zoloft but have heard so many neg opinions on it i haven't started it and i would rather try and deal with this without the use of pills..is this feeling i have called anything??
Posted by Dinah on August 13, 2002, at 17:11:05
In reply to i cant do this much longer, posted by sleepynscared on August 13, 2002, at 15:31:13
There's more than one thing it could be, I guess. If it's OCD or some other anxiety disorder, Zoloft might work very well for you. My obsessions were under control on Luvox, a related medication.
Some therapy of some sort would also probably be useful, especially with the help of medications. There are a lot of cognitive behavioral techniques for handling anxiety and insomnia. Have you looked into finding a therapist? And did you see a psychiatrist or a general practitioner for your medication?
It sounds like you're in a lot of pain, but please don't be afraid to follow your doctor's recommendations. Taking pills isn't a sign of weakness, and medications can give you a stable base to work on your problems in therapy. Do you have any particular fears about taking medication? Perhaps you could talk about them here or with your doctor.
Take care,
Dinah
Posted by terra miller on August 13, 2002, at 20:27:36
In reply to i cant do this much longer, posted by sleepynscared on August 13, 2002, at 15:31:13
oh gosh i am so sorry this is happening for you. i've been through this and still do from time to time. in fact currently i cannot let myself fall off to sleep. even with the max dose of my sleeping meds i fight to keep my eyelids open. it's terrible. i agree, that for me somewhere after 4:30 or so it's ok. i went for months and months on 2-3 hours of sleep. i also have 3 children.
do you have a therapist that you are talking to? or a trusted friend? i would guess there's a good reason why you are afraid, but i think if you can get in a trusted relationship with a helping professional that they can help you with this.
i don't know if medicine will make it go away. it may or may not. it's likely to help you, though. are you afraid or are you also panicking?
write more. you are not alone.
terra
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