Insomnia and anxiety

[Bellini12]

I have never been a great sleeper. Tried every herbal and over the counter aid with little success. Then I end up in a loop of worrying I won’t sleep well, so I sabotage myself and of course don’t sleep well, feel rubbish the next day and this can go on for days. Only a sleeping tablet breaks the cycle (which I use very sparingly).
Going to be asked to be referred to CBT again as this has helped me manage the negative thoughts.

Just wondered if anyone else has anything that has worked for them? When I sleep I’m like a different person. Damn the perimenopause for making me feel worse (anxieties about going on hrt aren’t helping myself but think this is the next step).

Try these videos;

Have you tried Passiflora? I use the A.Vogel Passifloria Drops.

I have always had insomnia, and I have tried everything under the sun (and moon) but the only thing that has worked is medication from the doctor. Mirtazapine helped, and now I am on Amiltriptyline which is working ok.

I feel your pain. Mirtazipine is really good but the weight gain is severe. It worked incredible for me but made me gain 2 stone. Even with exercise and fasting. Magnesium helped me when it wasn't so severe. I ended up on venlafaxine which helped my anxiety which in turn helped my sleep

Meditation. I focus on my breathing and I consciously take deeper and longer breaths as that helps me calm down.

Also not being on screens too late (As I am at the moment), not having tech in the bedroom, making the bedroom conducive to sleeping, (right temp, tidy, no tech etc), having a warm bath, waking up early in the morning.

I used Paul McKenna self hypnosis in the past which helped a bit, but basically for me personally it was no screens and meditating when I did wake (your brain rests like you're asleep when you do this) and getting up and going to sleep at the same time and no naps.

Thanks for all your advice.

I have tried passiflora before to no avail. In fact the herbal stuff doesn’t do much.
I thought CBD oil was good but then stopped working. It’s quite pricy too!
I do try and meditate but often fall off the bandwagon so will defo start this again.
The point about screens is something I needed to read as often go on my phone too close to bed time. Will try and be stricter with this.
When my anxiety was really bad I eventually tried citalopram, however this did not agree with me and actually made me worse. I don’t feel like I need antidepressants.
a sleeping tab for no more than 2 nights does reset me but of course drs don’t want to prescribe them (wish they would have more trust that it would never be abused).
I think I need to work out why I’m getting so anxious and not sleeping, which I think CBT may help with. It’s awful when you get in that anxiety/insomnia loop so nice to know I’m not alone with struggling with this.