Strategies for deep sleep when you have insomnia

30 years with insomnia

I suffered from insomnia for 30 years before I sought medical help. At the onset of puberty I began to lay awake nights with my mind whirling, my body tense and my teeth gritted. I told my mother and she brushed it off as “hormones” and I continued to experience long nights and bleary days.

I tried stopping all caffeine, hot baths, relaxing music, reading very dull books and counting sheep but nothing worked. One thing that worked for a short while was to do subtraction of odd five digit numbers.

For example: 17,423 - 2,297 = ? Usually I would bore myself to sleep but this solution only worked for a year or so. Upon the advice of a friend I had met shortly after my 40th birthday, I spoke to my doctor about my problem. I was told that my problem most likely stemmed from anxiety as it had lasted so long.

I was prescribed 20 mg of Paxil which I refused to take; after all there was nothing wrong with me! After a particularly bad week at work compounded / caused by lack of sleep I filled the prescription and promptly told my boss what I was about to go through. The initial three weeks as my body adapted to the drug was dreadful I could not sleep at night but I dozed off at my desk every afternoon.

After taking the Paxil for approximately six weeks I realized one day that I felt so rested, calm, in control and where was the constant headache and knot in my stomach? I would have to recommend that if you are suffering from insomnia, perhaps you should check with your doctor to see if anxiety may be your problem. If not, you can lay awake at night as usual assured that you are not crazy like me.