Stress Resulting in Insomnia?

Question:

I'm 17 years old, and I have a very stressful lifestyle. Battling school, sports, work, home life, social life, and a 2 year relationship with my fiance, I have developed insomnia. I'll usually get tired around 9:30, 10pm on an average day, but I usually won't get to sleep till about 3 or 4 am. And I have to get up at 6. There were times that I didn't even go to sleep...I'd still be awake all the way through the night and get out of bed at 6 and head on through my day. It's absolutely killing me and having an impact on everything I do. I've tried OTC Tylenol PM as well as an Rx my grandma let me try one time...nothing seems to work. What can I do, including things I should do at home as well as maybe seeing a doctor? I'm afraid to become dependent on pills, if that's the route I'm to take.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

Answers:
I have been there and it's hard it's great that your concerned about becoming dependent on pills. You definitely should see a doctor and share your concerns with him/her. But pills aren't going to do it all. definitely find someone you can talk to regularly therapist/counselors are good but it can be anybody who will just listen and be a friend. I used to take bubble baths with lavender scented soap or candles, that usually helps. I also used to go threw the alphabet thinking of names for every letter that helped for me it may or may not work. Make a list of different advice and slowly try them out but don't get too worried if nothing works right away because sometimes it takes a while. especially if you think about it too much. Try everything and talk to lots of people you can never have too much advice :)

Try to downsize your life. Opt out of sports for this coming school year. Tell your coach you need to concentrate on your schoolwork. Cut your hours at your job or get a job that requires less time. You shouldn't cut back on your schoolwork and you probably don't want to cut back on your time with your family and friends and fiance, so that's the only way to go.

take the pills

Lighten your schedule, you're seventeen and making a decision to get married? give it time, there's no rush. Exercise will blow off alot of the stress, and drink tea. Read for pleasure. These things will chill you out.

Hi, sorry to hear about your problem. The last thing you need at your age is pills. Instead, visit the website of The Silva Method, you will find some wonderful tools to help you overcome this, and other problems. www.silvamethodqld.com.au
Better and better, Peter

The most likely cause of your insomnia is stress. However , you should see your doctor since there are physical causes that need to be ruled out.

Check out the balance of your activities, Do you give yourself down time, just to kick back? Doesn't sound like there is much time for you.

I agree that simplifying your schedule would help.

You don't have to get addicted to medications to benefit from them. There are some that are non addictive, and maybe if your anxiety were treated, you would be able to sleep.

It is hard to meet all of the demands on your time at this point in your life, so you do have choices to make. Take care of yourself, eat nutritious foods, get some relaxation time, and evaluate your relationships for those that give back,

Hope this helps,
Karen

well, many insomnia cases have been asociated with stress and deppression.
yes, you're right, don't take any pill that could make you become dependent also seeing doctor would not help much since they always prescribe pills to. i think there is a better option to get http://www.sleep-sound.com/?id=benthaleb...

I suffer from insomnia and I was determined not to take medication if I could help it. I finally had to give in because I couldn't sleep and it was ruining my life. I went to a doctor who put me on two medications: Ativan 1 mg and Ambien 10 mg. They work very well together. The Ativan relaxes me and turns off my mind and the Ambien makes me sleepy. The Ativan can be addictive so I must watch the intake but the Ambien is a non narcotic and it isn't generally addictice. Both medications are available in generic form so their cost has been lowered. Should you take these? I would never prescribe drugs for another person especially since I am not a doctor. I use these drugs as examples which I am taking and which work well for me. What will work well for you I do not know. .but you are going to need something to help you sleep. See a doctor.

Hypnotherapy is a wonderful way to relax, reduce stress and to get better quality sleep with no side effects.
You can visit a Hypnotherapist for a one to one session or get a self help CD (or download)
The benefits can be amazing.
Good luck.

More details on
http://www.hypnotherapistregister.com/sl...

http://www.hypnotherapistregister.com/st...
http://www.hypnotherapistregister.com/in...

check out ( http://www.reducingstress.net )
They have great info on stress and sleeping.

Stress Resulting in Insomnia?

Health Resources