Anxiety about sleep

[Marianne1234]

The past few weeks I’m finding that I am unable to sleep. I eventually pass out around 3am and I’m up with the kids at 6.30am and it’s killing me.

I’m too anxious. It’s ever since I saw on our estate Facebook group that there have been attempted break ins. I am so sure that if I go to sleep something bad will happen.

My husband is away for a few days and I am scared that something will happen to the kids if I fall asleep.

I know this is irrational. I am not an anxious person generally. What has happened to me?!

Have you spoken to your GP about getting something to help you?

I don't think it's actually that irrational, I live alone with my kids and that would freak me out too. Hope you're ok

No. It’s very difficult to get an appointment. But maybe I will try. I haven’t even told my husband he just moans that I’m always too tired and that I need to sleep more. I feel like they’ll think I’m an actual crazy person.

Having said that, deep down I don’t really think it’s irrational either (I don’t understand how anyone sleeps with that knowledge but accept perhaps my response to it is extreme) but the worrying about the kids thing is new. I’m not sure what I’m worried about.

For the short term, can you do things to mitigate your anxiety? Make a list of things you can do to feel safer. Checking that doors are locked, windows latched, curtains or blinds closed. Leave a light on, if it makes you feel safer. Put some homemade "burglar alarms"/booby traps up, like a chair blocking the exterior door(s), or something that would be knocked over and make noise if someone attempted to enter your home, giving you advance warning. Imo, if it makes you feel safer, it's worth doing, however silly it might seem to others.

If you're worried about the children, could you temporarily sleep somewhere nearer them, or between the door and their room?

Get a good security system in place and maybe try a weighted blanket. You get them in Home Bargains for £25.

Yeah I need to look at security systems after Christmas. Can’t afford it before then. I hadn’t thought of a weighted blanket maybe it’s worth a shot.

This is a nightmare 😩

@SmellyOldOwls
Very helpful am wide awake as usual ( pregnant) never heard of weight blanket before I’ve just googled it. I’ve just ordered one!

Oh god it’s so painful today. Thank god DH is back at lunchtime 😓

I understand this. When I’m alone I put things like a clothes basket or a chair in front of the door and the bedroom door as it helps me sleep to think I’d have a bit of time to call the police. I check all the windows and have a chain across the front door. I make sure my mobile is next to my bed and that I know what to do. Police can arrive very quickly. Even though burglaries etc are unlikely to happen, feeling prepared and knowing what I would do helps me sleep. Also make sure your ceiling fire alarm batteries are current.

This is useful knowledge, in terms of knowing you are prepared, if worrying about this kind of scenario is keeping you awake. www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/research-learning/Silent_solution_guide.pdf