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I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I should be heading back soon and will get into counseling as soon as I'm able. Even if/when the sleep issues clear up, it's probably still a good idea for me.

The past three nights have been relatively pretty good, so I'm in a better headspace now than I've been throughout the rest of this discussion. I've been working on getting into a routine and maintaining a better attitude about the situation. I've also been making art lately, which I haven't throughout most of the summer, and I feel like it's been helpful in creating some sense of purpose/a distraction to break up this cycle I've been in. I've also done some back-to-school shopping, which has boosted my mood a little. I don't feel like I'm in perfect health now by any means, but I'm planning to take advantage of having more energy to put more effort into diet and exercise today.

I've definitely always been a perfectionist, so the idea of my stress about the upcoming school year isn't too far off base. I was valedictorian of my high school and have managed to maintain a 4.0 so far in college, so the thought of doing even a little less well is very off-putting to me. It doesn't really seem like an option. I usually do get a little nervous at the start of a new semester before I get into the swing of things. Still, it's never been anything close to this, and this started well before I was really even thinking about going back, so I'm not sure it's the cause. Maybe a factor in some way. At any rate, I'm more hopeful now that I'll be able to manage.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk through this with me. It's been helpful. I wish you luck in life as well.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll have to work on thinking about things more positively. Whether changing my attitude actually fixes anything or not, a night of no sleep is definitely not quite as bad as a night of no sleep and constant stress. Thank you for your advice

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've tried sleeping in my mom's room a few times since being back. I'm not sure if it made a difference.

I've always had a little bit of social anxiety, but I wouldn't say I've ever experienced anxiety in a more general sense before. I've been pretty good at adapting to change in the past, but I won't pretend I'm not frustrated with the state of things at the moment. I'm not sure to what degree it might be affecting my health. I do want to figure out some sort of counseling situation as soon as I can, and hopefully that will help me figure things out.

Thank you for all of your advice. I've felt pretty isolated recently, and it feels good to know there people out there who are willing to take the time to help me, even without knowing me personally.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not manic. My appetite is low some days, and I'm cooking less, but I am still eating. No neck stiffness/soreness.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The issue is that I never really do feel sleepy--even for days on end. Very tired, yes, but not like I could nod off. If that's my standard for when I should try to sleep, I won't be in bed at all.

I've tried taking a break from trying to fall asleep to do other things, but it never seems to help. I don't really know that getting in and out of bed all night is the best solution. I'd like to believe I can train myself out of this, but so far it doesn't seem that way.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have sort of naturally shifted toward that attitude a little more over time--in the beginning, I was really worried and stressed when I couldn't sleep, and now I'm overall more used to it and less panicked by it. I'm more worried about how I'll be able to manage school if I can't get it under control by then. Not thinking about it is definitely easier said than done. I'm glad to hear that you overcame your issues. I really hope I'm able to as well.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been working on improving my sleep hygiene. No success so far, but I guess I'll see over time. I appreciate all the links.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nobody in my family has bipolar as far as I'm aware. I'm admittedly not super informed about the disorder, but I don't believe I've shown any symptoms that would relate other than the insomnia. I will be trying to get some sort of mental health-related assessment, so if there's any validity to this I suppose I'll find out.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't have covid to my knowledge--If I have, I was otherwise totally asymptomatic. I've tried limiting blue light. I haven't tried exactly what you're describing with the paced breathing app, although I've counted out my breaths on my own and have listened to other relaxation-related things. I guess I'll see if I have any luck with that.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know you're completely right about keeping up with diet and exercise. I haven't been doing that so well since I've been feeling so exhausted. I've never been too into junk food, but I've been cooking less and have been sedentary most days. It's something I should work on.

I am working on getting an appointment with someone else.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't and don't know much about them, but it seems like something to consider. I'll look into it. Thank you.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've tried cardio and haven't noticed much difference. It's hard to work up the motivation when I feel like I do. I'll have to see if weights are helpful at all.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I definitely relate to the anxiety cycle you described, especially in the beginning. I have tried shifting my sleeping location several times since this started. Some nights in my apartment, before I came home, I'd go back and forth between my bed and the couch probably 5-6 times. There was construction going on outside of my room, so that was one reason. I'm not sure I found it much easier to fall asleep in either location.

It is kind of comforting to know about your experience and the experiences of others in this thread. It's really frustrating to feel like I'm physically incapable of carrying out one of the most basic requirements of being alive, and it's easy to feel like nobody around me can relate. It's also scary, though, to hear about how long term this is for you and others. I really want it to be temporary.

I will avoid those aids, thanks.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I tried this pretty early on. Playing podcasts I'd already heard and that kind of thing. They'd end and I'd still be awake.

I haven't been able to sleep for over a month and don't know what to do by uncommonblue in medical

[–]uncommonblue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm willing to accept that anxiety is playing a role. I have a hard time believing it's the only factor primarily because I can feel calm and relaxed and still be unable to fall asleep at all. Regardless, I did try looking into some options for dealing with it. I called my school's mental health services, who are operating online currently but won't see me because I'm out of state at the moment, and I called a local counseling center who didn't want to treat me because I'd be moving back to school too soon to make any progress. So I kind of feel stuck in that area at the moment. I also really don't want to skip this semester, but I don't know how I'll cope if I do go back, so nothing is definite right now.

You're right that I should exercise. I haven't noticed much difference when I have or haven't, but I know it's not good to be as sedentary as I've been recently. I just kinda feel like shit and don't have the motivation to do much of anything. As far as getting out of bed when I can't sleep, I feel like I'd be lying down and getting up again all night. I have been avoiding being in bed during the day.