Girlfriend has awful insomnia - Please help?

[hopingforhelp86]

Hi all - My girlfriend suffers from terrible insomnia, we've tried going to the doctors and they can't do anything to help. She's been prescribed sleeping pills and whilst they can sometimes work she doesn't want to rely on them and become dependant.

Not only does it take her ages to fall asleep, chances are she'll wake up 3/4 times throughout the night and the cycle continues. This is causing her to feel constantly miserable/exhausted and stressed. She works in a demanding job with long hours so this doesn't help either.

Are there any other sufferers on here that have coping mechanisms that can help please? Her energy levels are at an all time low 9 times out of 10 and it breaks my heart seeing her in a state. It's got to the point now where she will breakdown and cry as she's just had enough and is totally exhausted and fed up.

I bought blackout blinds for our bedroom, bought a new mattress, let her sleep on my original side of the bed as its more comfy for her, even tried no screen time before bed and turmeric pills.

It is starting to affect day to day life and is causing us both strain. I just want to be able to help her and make her feel better. Anyone out there with something we can try... please?

Google sleep meditations or hypnotherapy for sleep. There are many out there and they can help her switch off to go to sleep. It gets to be a viscous cycle where she’s worried about not being able to sleep so then doesn’t sleep.
She needs to continue with the no phone/screen time but just use it to put on, in the darkened room, for the sleep meditation/hypnotherapy.

Has she had any blood tests? Thyroid issues can affect sleep and cause exhaustion and frequent crying.

Could you splash out on a really comfy mattress topper - made a huge difference to us, so lovely and comfy. Something like this from John Lewis? www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-synthetic-soft-touch-washable-dual-layer-6cm-deep-mattress-topper/p1519431

If it's affecting her during the day it might be asking if the doctor will let her try low dose of amitryptyline (10mg). I suffered for years from intermittent insomnia, and this has really sorted it.

Quit alcohol and caffeine, listen to white noise / have a fan on at night, sleep in separate rooms

Do a decent amount of exercise but early in the day (not before bed as it can contribute to insomnia).

I've found meditation apps really invaluable. Headspace has 'sleep casts' which often help me to drift off when I wake at night.

The other thing that I've found helpful is actually getting therapy for stress. I think I'm managing it but then it seeps out via insomnia. Having someone to talk to regularly is great.

It's a really stressful time at the moment. Wishing your gf some sleep

www.nhs.uk/apps-library/sleepstation/
It's a course. It cured mine, but it isn't easy so be warned!