insomnia

[emmapayne27]

Can anyone help? My best friend has had insomnia for ten years at first she could get a couple of hours of kip at some point during the night, but recently it has got worse she goes for days with no sleep at all, its got to the point where she cant function properly or think straight, she almost got ran over not long ago. She was on sleeping tablets from the Dr for years and had to wean herself off them, she has 2 lovely kids which she adores but she has come to the point of wanting to take her own life, having the kids has stopped her but I really really am worried lately she has been saying how better off they would be without her as she is too tired to carry on

[WendyS]

Buy her a copy of The Daily Telegraph book "Sleep Really Well" �9.99. ISBN No. 1-84119-672-X. Published by Constable & Robinson, 3 The Lanchesters,162 Fulham Palace Rd, London W6 9ER. (www.constablerobinson.co m). It contains a lot of information about all the causes of sleeplessness and helpful hints to try and overcome the problem.

Also, try and persuade her go back to her GP and explain her problem. Her anxiety about her insomnia may in fact now be causing her to become so stressed that she finds it impossible to relax and sleep, causing a viscious cycle to be formed. I understand she may not want to return long-term to sleeping tablets but sometimes taking one occasionally and getting a good night's sleep can break the cycle. Also, she may possibly be suffering from anaemia which is exascerbating her tiredness, which is why she needs a check-up with her GP.
Does she have a partner who is giving her the support she needs in terms of coping with household chores, or is she a single mum? Is there any chance you, her parents or in-laws could take her children for a week-end so that she could just go to bed for a few hours during the daytime and try to catch up on her sleep?.

[quibbmedusa]

hi Emma, i suffered from true Insomnia for years and i too was desperately depressed about it, until i started to listen to Paul Mckennas cd at night, cant remember what its called but its about sleeping.

I had tried self hypnosis before without much success but this really helped..another good tip is from Boots, and its called Sleepy Dew, a rollerball you put on your temples..do these together and in about a week, she'll be sleeping like a baby, it worked for me, and if it can work for someone who used to sleep an hour a night, it can work for anyone.

Best of luck xx

[Dollie]

see a hypnotherapist - may just help !

[aceduce0]

Has she tried Nytol from chemists? It is herbal so she won't get addicted to them and they work for me and my Mum.

[emmapayne27]

thanks for all your replies, yes she has tried nytol, they would just get her a little drowsy. She has gone back to her doctor (who is useless) but it was only a stand in, but he is going to suggest to her Dr antidepressants, and to try & tackle one thing at a time, ( her blood pressure is dangerously high which is worse because of the no sleep) I got her the sleep well book & she is going to try that aswell. Thanks again .

[papia]

Insomnia (sleeplessness) is due to stress, dietary and medical problems. By making small lifestyle changes like having a fixed daily routine, relaxing and eating properly, insomnia can be cured. I found the information at http://tinyurl.com/jfzpz useful for getting sleep.