PTSD + Anxiety + Hypervigilance = No Sleep...

[rightkindofme]

My problem is early waking more than can't-go-to-sleep but I've had those nights too. It's rough. I really like guided meditations for sleepiness inducing. And I have back up Ativan.

 

[Ree-Ree]

When I am anxious and losing sleep, I put a small, lite, soft pillow over my head/ear, and keep another bigger one clutched to my middle and between my knees while I sleep in what they call the fetal position.The pillow over my head makes me feel MUCH safer than anything else here.
I sleep with a fan because the white noise helps me tune out other sounds which my hypervigilance picks up on in the night triggering more stress and fight-or-flight adrenaline responses. Either mind or body are anxious depending on the events of the day. If you have an anxious mind going 100mph and out of your control, there are a few useful tricks for that.
I sometimes sing for a few minutes, or listen to some select, soothing songs. A slow rhythm song is what i would recommend. I've collected some that sooth me just for these bouts of anxiety.
I get intense cramps in my back that actually hurt due to stress sometimes, for those i take a really hot bath and let my family know ill be in there a good while.
Aromatherapy is VERY nice too. Lavender is relaxing. I use an oil burner, or use some not-too-strong perfume on my bedding! It might sound silly but I even got this OUTLAST deodorant which I could swear I smell on myself and its a very pleasant, relaxing smell for me. Whatever works, works.
CUDDLING. It's scientifically proven to calm us and also we all know we never meet the hug quota.
Cutting out sugar, caffeine, and too many carbs before bed. Sometimes these things aren't the culprits.

You might not like this one: exercise is soooooo good for us. I have noticed my anxiety get better because of and then worsen for the lack of exercise. I dont recommend it but I used to go for late night runs by myself. I chose the time of night where just about NO one would be awake. 2-4am. I haven't officially been diagnosed but years of struggling with it and researching tells me I have social anxiety disorder. I used to have it worse. I didn't want people to see me jogging because I was too self-conscious. I still am I just am now feeling I think DP due to continuous, high levels of stress and anxiety. The exercise will almost certainly get rid of most of your anxiety. Both mental and physical! Please give it a try, either at home or a secluded place with fresh air. A long walk, a swim, a hike in the mountains or up and down some stairs.
I'm odd and never hydrate well, but i'd recommend it.
I'd also recommend a gulp of your favorite red wine. It took some time but I have a few favorites. Number one that goes down EASY is Two Vines Columbia Crest Cabernet. Of course, too much alcohol is a bad thing and I hear it aggravates anxiety. All things in moderation.
Sometimes either out loud or not I, "kindly counsel" myself and my anxious mind. I say: "Don't be silly" "Your OK." "It's alright" "time to sleep" "goo to sleep..." If I'm too self conscious and self-deprecating I need to snap myself out of that frame of mind. It's very harmful for me. Reminding myself that I am a person of value and worthy of respect and deserving of happiness helps me too.

 

[kally]

I'm right with you.

 

[crazyhorse69]

It's 2:21 am here, and I understand the restlessness, I hide my true self within, and project this false self or false image, and it gets tiring let me tell you, in a way it's isolation and just being completely shut down emotionally, disengaged, uninterested in life in general, angry, pissed off, I find trying to have a intimate relationship I just turn it into a living disaster. My girlfriend says she wants to get out of my life, we've been together four years, and for some reason the love and relationship and bond we had a few years ago, seems to have vanished, maybe we had alot of pleasure together now it's turning into bitterness, she says she's had enough, very confusing to me, but I can't stop her from leaving if that's what she wants to do. That's why I've always been a playboy and had multiple girlfriends just in case one leaves, I have other one's to fall back on. Fear of rejection has always been a very chore part of my life ever sense I was a kid.