Did You/Do You Need to Re-learn to Sleep? How?

[Tj's Paradigm Shift]

This thread is helpful. My ptsd and sleep problems have increased over the past several months. Thank you for your input.

 

[Rani G2]

Did You/Do You Need to Re-learn to Sleep?

@Abstract
Everything relevant has been written here, from the nature of sleep in general to different kinds of sleep behaviours/patterns.. ect.

Sleep deprivation has been affecting me for many years. Went to school/ work with 2-3 hrs of sleep! Was addicted to sleeping pills for sometime. Sleep quality changed a few years ago after being in Traumatherapy.

All I do know is that I had no idea of what I had been doing, what had been done to me, a sense of history and a timeline. I had no sense of being sure to being present

Can relate to this. I know that there was this lack of integration, dissociative sub- systems operating, and having no sense of self. There were various self's functioning but me never being truly aware of their prescence.
In Therapy while discovering these emotional parts, what my T (Part T Model) calls as emotional-fragile parts, controlling parts and Apparently normal parts and so on I/the parts were able to realize with time that the horror was over(Still working on certain parts) and that there was no need to control anymore. Thats when I was able to slowly sleep better..

Yoga has been very helpful as well.

 

[Abstract]

Hi @Tj's Paradigm Shift
Very glad the info is helping you too. I hope it settles soon.

Thanks for answering @PURUSHA!

Glad it is improving for you too. ? It makes it hard to function properly, doesn't it?

was no need to control anymore. That's when I was able to slowly sleep better..

I guess it is about control isn't it? As others have mentioned here too. Maybe the lack of ability to trust people and myself and this avoidance of sleep are related for me. It sounds like you have done some excellent work.

Maybe the one good side of my aversion to feeling sedated is that I never risked being dependant on sleep meds. ?

My lifestyle isn't very relaxing and I think I need to do more general self care.

 

[Rani G2]

My lifestyle isn't very relaxing and I think I need to do more general self care.

@Abstract hope life's challenges appear in more digestable ways... :-) Its very tough.. but I am a reader of your posts..and see your progress as well..

guess it is about control isn't it?

Absolutely.

It sounds like you have done some excellent work.

To be honest @Abstract, there are two or three departments...where I have found more acessable routes but then I'm still chewing on one topic and never seem to find the answers...

We all are trying :-)

 

[Freida]

How do you do that?! That isn't one I can do really. Its the whole not being conscious and the opening the door to dreams thing.

I think it came about as I figured out a lot of the things that "threatened" me didnt actually exist. As I got better at my bedtime routine I was able to get my anxiety down

 

[Abstract]

@PURUSHA Hi. ?
Understand the chewing on questions without finding answers. I guess we need to just keep chewing! And maybe think if we are chewing the right thing. ?

We certainly are all trying! Thank you.

@Freida
Much thanks again! ? So a combination of accepting there was nothing to be worrying about and reducing general anxiety before sleep through a pre sleep routine. Think I'm better about the first. than I was. Does that really change nightmares and during sleep stuff I wonder. Maybe not so good about the second. Hmmm. My brain is going around in circles with these so will have to think some more, Guess if don't want to be less conscious then I haven't changed my mindset.

 

[Abstract]

Anyone know how babies learn to sleep? Is it the regulation aspect of it we are talking about? They have masses of melatonin don't they? They always just looking like sleep machines to me. When they want to sleep that is.
Hmmmm... adding: I know they need to have external soothing. Learning to self soothe is a process. Realised I only started learning that in the last few years. My idea of self soothing prior to that was threats or using other unhealthy means.

 

[Ronin]

probably sounds a little strange.

Nah. Not even a little.

Just like a lot of sleep deprivation. And good descriptions, too.

(Edited)

how babies learn to sleep?

... Which babies, again?
(Just meaning, so much of it is individual. Would be heck easier to schedule around if not.)

 

[Abstract]

Nah. Not even a little.

Thanks so much for affirming that Ronin. Most of my years only spent in my head means I still don't have much objective judgment on that.
Since writing this the more I have thought about the more I have realised how complex my feelings around being aware and unaware are and how sleep fits into those.

... Which babies, again?

I think Freida mentioned her dr said that babies have to learn to sleep and that post trauma we needed to do so. Brain a bit soggy and not very functional so may have that wrong!
You are so right that we are incredibly individual.

 

[Abstract]

Not at all the fundamental stuff but thinking also that a little sprinkling of chronic pain and stuff related to pain related health stuff, and a small dollop of restless legs adds a little to the stew.

 

[Abstract]

If am lucky its going to be a 3 hour one tonight ? Its a process!

 

[Lionheart]

I do need to brush up on sleep hygiene and stop drinking coffee so late in the day. I have insomnia. I used to have PTSD nightmares but am taking a drug called Prazosin that has helped me considerably. I haven't read this entire thread yet, but I will go back and take a closer look at what has been said. I may post again later if that is ok with the op.