Is anyone up. Completely overwhelmed

[Brrrr98]

I just need someone to talk to and feeling completely overwhelmed. I have so much on my mind, single parent, work, my DD isn’t sleeping well and I also now have insomnia and my head feels so much pressure when I try and close my eyes to sleep, I’ve been worried about my health, feeling lonely, feeling so stressed out and it’s making me feeling really panicky and dizzy. I feel like I need some help

think i’d could do with one of these!

Magnesium also helps, it worked instantly for me when I was working 12 hour shifts and could not get to sleep all night until just before I had to get up for work. Like a miracle, some of my work mates tried it and it worked for them as well, that and vitamin d and b. Magnesium oil or citrate tablets. Good luck.

I’m awake too. My sleep is terrible anyway but since receiving sad news of a friend being terminally ill my sleep is worse than ever. Nothing worse than being up in the night when it feels like the whole world is asleep.

Aww, bless you both. If she gets scared in the night I’d let her sleep with you. Might help you both to snuggle up together. Anxiety is the pits.

I find listening to talk radio (BBC 5 Live) helps. It’s like having company and provides a distraction. Sometimes I’ll have it on very low all night. But realise it can be worse for some people.

Agree with PPs that a few drops of lavender oil in a bedtime bath and/or in a diffuser in the room and mug of warm milk before bed might help you both. Maybe also a hot water bottle. Very comforting.

Lone mums are the strongest people. Invincible. When my anxiety’s bad, I think of all the wonderful things I’m blessed with compared to lots of mums in the world: beautiful daughter, your family, not living in a war zone, fresh water, food. Think of all the things you’ve achieved that day/week: you can face anything. And try to imagine you’re in your happy place: on a beach in the sunshine or wherever you feel most relaxed.

It gets easier the older they get. Hang in there.

Most importantly you need to speak to a gp and a referral to for counselling. I’ve had insomnia and it can be so debilitating.

Magnesium supplements seem to have helped me with my sleep. Not cured it but I definitely sleep better when I take them.

Paul McKenna does a sleep hypnosis thing on YouTube. Try listening to that. It doesn’t work for me long term but when I haven’t used it for a while it does.

Another thing that sometimes works is I think about what I would do if I won the lottery. Because I’m focused on one thing it helps my mind to switch off.

I'm awake too.

Extending sympathies and solidarity to you as a fellow single parent, it's unbelievably hard when you have no support.

I'm awake worrying about DD too! She's 16 but I'm so worried about her future, school let her down, college appears to be similar and her dad is a dick. No-one else to help her but me and I feel a bit helpless.

Wish I had better words of advice for you but I too am burnt out! X

Write a list by your bedside table last thing every night of things on your mind / things you need to do. Could you just succumb to your 4 year old and let her sleep on your bed ?

I have teen kids. There’s always a way back if they haven’t passed exams. BTECs are a good option. Volunteering for an advice/rights charity (Citizens Advice, Shelter etc) can really help with getting a job. Often leads to paid work if you’re reliable, bright and good with people.