im so tired. i just want to fall asleep, but every time i’m about to im interrupted by another intrusive thought, some in the form of another person’s voice. it’s like my brain isn’t letting me fall asleep. any advice??? this is maddening.
We hear you. This is unfortunately a very common experience in OCD. We are less distracted around bed time allowing us to focus on the intrusive thoughts more. Your peers gave great recommendations, and I would echo those. Having a bed time routine can be really helpful for letting out brain know its time to shut down. I would also recommend putting down electronics 30 minutes prior to bed. This gives your brain time to settle before bed. Its hard, and if the issue does not get better I would recommend talking with your doctor about possible vitamins or temporary medications to assist with falling asleep. We are here for you!
What really helps too is a white noise machine or relaxing music. I have noticed when nice sounds are in the background you may fall asleep faster than extracted.
You’re not alone. I have problems going to sleep. For me, I try to set myself up for success by doing activities at night that make me feel safe and worthy of peace when I sleep. Having a self care routine at night gets me in a peaceful state and then having something positive or “fun” to do if ocd attacks at night. Like I have a book, a show I know I want to watch, or playing a video game. I also know “self-care” is a loaded word and overused. But I think the key is to not punish yourself when intrusive thoughts happen. Have a fun distraction and remember that intrusive thoughts are not hopes, dreams, wishes or prayers.
Hi there louv3rde. Different people find different techniques helpful for falling asleep effectively. We refer to this as "Sleep Hygiene." I have provided a link to the Sleep Foundation. They have several good Sleep Hygiene recommendations that you may find useful. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene
I have work at 4am tomorrow and normally am asleep by 9 or 10 at the latest to be up by 2:30. But the thoughts are so bad I’m afraid of even closing my eyes and lately I’ve been going to bed at 6pm to fall asleep by midnight. I’m so over this. Any tips for falling asleep without getting bad thoughts. I keep picturing imperfect things or reliving every event that triggered me throughout the day. Last night I literally tried falling asleep without closing my eyes (which is impossible) then had to work today running on 3 hours of heavily interrupted sleep. I’m so exhausted and just over this.
Tips for getting to sleep when I can't be alone with my thoughts? I'm scared of putting my phone down at night because my brain goes into overdrive. Anyone got advice? I've tried melatonin, white noise, music, etc
does anyone have any good tips for falling asleep and staying asleep that actually work. Not just staying off phone and that kind of thing before bed, i’ve tried that and it’s not helping. my sleep has already been bad but i think it was starting a new medication that has made it unbearable. i’ve never been this sleep deprived in my life and i’m not meant to take melatonin with the medication until i talk to a dr so does anyone have any non-medication/non-supplement tips?
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