Who Else Wakes Up At The Same Time In The Middle Of The Night?

[Lav]

I'm curious to know who else wakes in the middle of the night around the same time give or take half an hour? Not necessarily every night.

I myself tend to wake around 3am, not every night though. I am of the opinion it was because I sexually abused as a child while I was sleeping, I don't recall what time during the night though. My Psychiatrist believes this is a most probable explanation. Up until five years ago, until I was medicated, I hadn't had a good night sleep most of my life. I sleep a little better now, hooray!!

Any info on other people's experiences would be appreciated.

Kind regards,
Lav

 

[Anna]

heh, same as me. Unless I fall asleep after 1am, I also wake up around 3am in the morning. Depends on when I manage to get to sleep at night.

 

[Lav]

Thanks for replying Anna

Why 3am? Do you know why, or have an opinion?

 

[Anna]

I am not an expert. I have however read that it has to do with cicadian rhythms. Waking between 2-3am in the morning can be an early sign of depression. It can also be due to sleep apnea where the body wakes itself up in panic as adrenalin sets in to get you to breathe again. There are many theories, and only way to find out why is to go to a sleep clinic.

With me it is because I frequently need to use the bathroom and never sleep very deeply :( I have had trouble with sleep for many years. The only way to sleep deep for me is a nightcap such as a shot of vodka or whisky before bed. I am reluctant to take sleep meds as I don't like the quality of sleep you get with them. I have tried them before. Problem is I cannot have my nightcap during the week as I work shifts and have to get up early. So it is a case of trying to relax and wind down before going to bed. Watching a comedy taking a warm bath, going to bed with a good relaxing book and unwinding. Waking up though. I have no control over :(

 

[Dewline]

I'm going to toss out a few ideas that explained to me why I woke up at the same time, which was around 3 am. The likelihood is I was awoken at that time to be taken to another location for activities that involved groups of adults and children. Do you find there are certain times of the year when you wake up consistently at 3 am, or it is all year round? I also ran across a possible metaphysical reason that evil can occur around that time. A possible spiritual black hole when dark activities can occur. For example, there are TV programs where ghosts are photographed and the spirits tend to be more active between 3 and 4 am. Finding your explanations can be frustrating. You know your history best. Hopefully, I've said something that might strike a chord.

 

[Mimi]

Hi I always wake up at 0530 the time I used to get up for work. I cannot do anything to change it and the trauma it brings to think I may have to go into work where my PTSD originated. I am a breakfast tv addict..... I have no choice.

 

[Lav]

Hi, it doesn't seem to matter what I have done before going to sleep, I haven't noticed any patterns. It has been happening to me for 20+ years. Thanks for your theories Anna.

No particular time of year either to answer your question Dewline, can happen anytime. your theory of it being a metaphysical reason is plausible, but I have never felt anything strange like that going on at the time.

Mimi, I can surely see why you wake when you do.

Thank you for all your input.

 

[Srain]

I usually wake up every half hour all night long, if I slept at all. I later started sleeping the few hours of night and I wake now, on a good night, until 11:30 - 1:30-3:30. I think my initial being up all night or waking up constantly was to be on guard, then it was so I would never be late for school or work, now it's because these hours are "mine" .

It's quiet, I feel "safe". My abusers are long gone and I've been safe for years. This is the day of I take my dogs for a walk, little to no cars around, the streets are "mine" so I can enjoy the sky. It takes work to stay asleep for me, some times I try but most of the time I give in and get up to enjoy the soothing dark.

 

[Nicolette]

For years I woke at 2.30am on the dot. Have no idea why other than to go to the bathroom but it would not vary with the time I went to bed so not bladder related. I had to 'un-train' myself and tell myself many a night to finally break the cycle. When I am too stressed it starts up again.

 

[Jen93]

I'll often wake up at 1 or 2 AM thinking I should get some breakfast and get ready for school. (I live in Canada now, but I lived in England during my trauma. The time difference is 5 hours- so it'd be 6 or 7 AM there, school started around 8:30.) I'll be getting a glass of milk, and I'll be thinking and wondering where my school uniform went- and then I'll see it's dark out, finish my milk, go back to my room, look at the clock, and figure out where I am and that I should go back to sleep.

It's at that time I often end up in my Mommy's bed; I never thought it was trauma-related or dissociation-related before. Thanks for the question! :D

 

[Bimble]

I wake up most nights at around 3am, give or take. It's usually once, at this time, but I have been up at 5am as well as 3am. It's such a nightmare, feel shattered all day.

 

[Lav]

Very interesting...

Strain, your reply to the question is much appreciated and has got me thinking. You must be exhausted, however your peaceful walks with your dogs must provide you with some comfort.

Nicolette, I believe it's not bladder related. Evidence is growing to be trauma/stress related, early days yet to draw a final conclusion. Need more info. Thank you for your reply.

Jen93, I recall as a child when I woke feeling quite disorientated, interesting to hear your story. I hope that this question and other peoples posts helps you to draw your own conclusions.

Bimble, never thought to consider how I felt during the day after the 3am pattern. Thank you, something else to think about.

Thank you all