I lost my job in August, leading to stress and anxiety with stomach issues. I was up multiple times in the night with stomach upset. Somehow this pattern stuck, and now I wake up multiple times in the night - I can’t break it.
I go to bed about 10-1030 and have no trouble falling asleep. I have a relaxation tape I listen to which puts me out (or at least that’s what I tell myself). I wake up about 1 or 2am (I think, I’ve taught myself to not look at the clock and this has helped) to go to the bathroom and am able to fall back asleep without much trouble. No anxiety this time because I know it’s the first awakening and it’s still early.
The second awakening happens later, about 5 or 530am. It’s not light out yet but it’s getting close. I know this because I’ve already been up once. So then the anxiety of not having much time to go back to sleep sets in. I toss from here until about 8am when I get up. I think I fall asleep for a few minutes here and there in this time.
So I’m spending almost 10 hours in bed but only sleeping 6 or 6 1/2. I’m trying to get every minute of sleep possible - but from what I’ve read, this is making it worse - I’m teaching myself it’s ok to lay awake in bed. It’s like I’ve forgot how to relax.
Has this happened to anyone? My doctor doesn’t think a sleep study would be a good fit since I don’t have snoring, sleep apnea, etc. - it’s just a stuck anxiety pattern. I’ve thought about sleep restriction to limit myself in bed to 6 hours and then work backwards to 8 - but going to bed at 12 or 1230 and being even more exhausted seems unbearable.
Everyone thinks it’s no big deal because I’m still getting about 6 hours of sleep. True insomniacs get less than that. I fear that this is a life sentence and it’s only been about 3 months. I truly don’t know what to do and I know that pattern is already stuck.
hi butterfly
i myself have just been diagnosed with depression and anxiety
i asked my doctor for help due to the problems getting worse
i am now on anti depressents my second week its hard with the side effects getting into tour system and still got a couple of weeks to go until i have been told i will feelthe better
but like you i have same thing i go to bed and was awake a lot in night
my doctor pescribed diazapan to help me sleep
its still not the best at the moment as i still wake up about six and ho to bed at about 11pm but at least i sleep through
its like my body clock is stuck on 6am
i find rather than lie in bed like i use to i get ip make a drink and have started a diary where i write about my previous day wether it has been good or bad and my goals for the day
then also do 15 minutes meditation to relax my start to the day
just accepting now that my day start at 6am is better than lying in bed and if i have to have an hours sleep in the afternoon thats fine also
speak to your doctor to ask for aome help as the dark mornings dont help at all
feel free to message me anytime if you just need a chat
you will get there 
Hi, you need not to worry and stress too much on sleeping first of all.. most of the time we delay our sleep cycle due to excessive procrastination and overthinking. I have dealt with the same situation when i got diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Mental health issues are like that and not being able to sleep is just a side-effect of these. I got myself a prescription of antidepressants and these are sedative in nature - that means you are going to fall sleep in a while after taking your dose. Once you are able to get proper sleep on time make sure you organize your routine accordingly and that nothing should hinder in that. I would also advise you to not eat any carb based meals before bed. Follow a good sleep hygiene and you are going to overcome sleep problems quick!
