Can't sleep

Hi @Former-Member, I happen to be up now too. We haven't met yet but I thought I'd say hi, just so you know you are not alone in the night. Wishing you well.

@Former-Member, try to focus on our conversation for a little while, and let the worries drop as much as possible.

If possible, take some long, deep, slow breaths.

@Former-Member, I have read back a little into your introduction thread where various people were talking to you over the past day or so. I am 55 but suffered trauma from childhood due to family domestic violence, alchoholism, other addictions. We were also constantly in money worries and insecurity of housing, everything really. So I relate to your situation from a different point of view.

Know that you are not alone in experiencing these things. For this reason, it would be wise to try to drop the self blame you experience. So many women experience domestic abuse, it's tragic. And there are so many complex reasons why women stay in those situations. I hope you can try to be as kind as possible to yourself. With mental health struggles, we need to try to be the best friend we can be to ourselves.

@Former-Member, it's been a while since your last reply here. Perhaps you have found a way to sleep, which would be great. I will wait for another 10 minutes and then go back to bed if I haven't heard again from you. Sending kindest wishes that tomorrow will be a better day.

@Former-Member, I'm about to go to bed now. So just leaving you with the Lifeline phone number in case you would like someone to speak to someone supportive in person. The phone lines are available 24 hours a day on 13 11 14. But I hope you are asleep as I'm posting this and wake up with more relaxed feelings in the morning. Kind wishes, Maz

Yes anxiety and sleep often don't go very well together. Perhaps you can talk to your DR about medication to help you sleep or do some breathing exercises.

@Mazarita Thank you i am still overwhelmed. I did fall asleep eventually.... Thanks i think i am just hestitant to take it. The first time i took medication it didn't help and after about three weeks i was in hospital. I tried different medication after but it made my anxiety worse. I also have fears of not being able to get up for my little girl as currently i am struggling already. My little girl starts preschool soon so i am just hoping that calms me down a tad..The financial stress is making me exhausted. I also feel alot of anger today..

Hi @Former-Member, I agree with @Former-Member. You seem so distressed in an ongoing way with your anxieties. I too feel it would be wise to go back to your GP to discuss medication and therapy options. As far as I'm aware, PTSD really needs treatment.

I too have have problems with depression and anxiety (as part of my bipolar), and have had decades experience with various medications. In my experience, the main medication for treating depression and anxiety in an ongoing way, is anti-depressants. These should not make you drowsy. In fact, they tend to do the opposite. However, some patience is required with them because they can take up to 8 weeks to really start benefiting you.

Another kind of medication for anxiety is usually only prescribed on a temporary basis. These are benzodiazepines, that can include the most common relaxants and sleeping medications. These would be the ones to avoid as much as possible, as you are doing, because they make us drowsy and are also known to be addictive (so only temporarily used).

In telling you what I know about medications, I would however ask that you bear in mind that I am not a medical professional and it would be best to seek advice from your GP.

Aside from medication, I would strongly suggest you also ask your GP for a referral to a psychologist, hopefully one experienced in treating PTSD. Therapy like this could even help you to be free of the need for medication, as it will teach you skills for managing anxieties and depression, and also help you to resolve the traumas that you have experienced. All Australians are entitled to 6-10 psychology sessions per year under Medicare, but you may wish to ask your doctor to refer you to a 'bulk-billing' psychologist so that your financial situation is not further stretched in any way.

I hope this information is useful. Kind wishes.