[InOne]

How does it actually work? Is it like people literally up for days on end unable to sleep or do they actually get a bit of sleep here and there? And I've noticed many people have all over the place sleeping patterns, so I guess it must be quite extreme for you to get diagnosed with it? I think it seems to have become one of those things people just say they have cos it sounds cool or they just don't really understand it

[Niall]

I think its when you can't sleep for days on end or something like that. -gets definition-

[Pyramid*]

It's reported that a lot of people who think they have insomnia - actully sleep more than they think they do. I know that sounds nuts: but they think they aren't getting sleep -when they are actually getting 'light sleep' / dozing but aren't realising it.

Serious insomnia is meant to be hellish and apparently makes it very difficult to function properly.

I'm not a brilliant sleeper but I will conk out for hours on the sofa in the evenings and wake up in the small hours not being able to get back to sleep - but that's obviously nothing like insomnia.

[Pyramid*]

Here's a load of info..... http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Insomni...roduction.aspx


Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep for long enough to feel refreshed the next morning, even though you've had enough opportunity to sleep.
Most people have problems sleeping at some point in their life. It's thought that a third of people in the UK have bouts of insomnia. Insomnia tends to be more common in women and more likely to occur with age.
It's difficult to define what normal sleep is as everyone is different. Your age, lifestyle, environment and diet all play a part in influencing the amount of sleep you need.
The most common symptoms of insomnia are:

• difficulty falling asleep
• waking up during the night
• waking up early in the morning
• feeling irritable and tired and finding it difficult to function during the day

Read more about the symptoms of insomnia.
Stress and anxiety are a common cause of insomnia, but it can also be caused by conditions such as depression, schizophrenia or asthma, some medications and alcohol or drug misuse.
Read more about the causes of insomnia.
What to do

There are things you can do to help you get to sleep, such as avoiding caffeine later in the day or heavy meals late at night, trying to set regular times to wake up and using thick blinds or curtains, an eye mask and earplugs to prevent light and noise from waking you up.
Try to relax by taking a warm bath one hour before you sleep or listen to calming music before bedtime.
Read more self-help tips for insomnia

[Ramsay]

friend of mine has it..he stays up for 2 days then sleeps in the next and stays up for 2 days..its an endless cycle

[Niall]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep for long enough to feel refreshed the next morning, even though you've had enough opportunity to sleep.

I nearly never feel refreshed in the morning even when I sleep loads does this mean I have insomnia wat

[InOne]

Originally Posted by Niall

I nearly never feel refreshed in the morning even when I sleep loads does this mean I have insomnia wat

Yes, reading one line on an internet forum about Insomnia that relates to you in a vague way means you have it.

[Niall]

Originally Posted by InOne

Yes, reading one line on an internet forum about Insomnia that relates to you in a vague way means you have it.

Shutup!

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Niall

I nearly never feel refreshed in the morning even when I sleep loads does this mean I have insomnia wat

Go see your doctor for a diagnosis, either that, or don't sta yup all night on the internet.... Also: maybe clicking on the link and you will find THAT comment comes from the link I put up...

[Niall]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Go see your doctor for a diagnosis, either that, or don't sta yup all night on the internet.... Also: maybe clicking on the link and you will find THAT comment comes from the link I put up...

I'm actually terrible with looking things up on the internet. I'll look up an illness and convince myself that I have it.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by InOne

Yes, reading one line on an internet forum about Insomnia that relates to you in a vague way means you have it.

This describes my step dad. Any tiny little symptom, one cough, a sneeze. He's got the NHS guide out or on the internet convinced he has some plague or other. lol

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Niall

I'm actually terrible with looking things up on the internet. I'll look up an illness and convince myself that I have it.

That's def not insomnia.

That's Hypochondria. I'll let you look that one up.

[Niall]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

That's def not insomnia.

That's Hypochondria. I'll let you look that one up.

I know what hypochondria is.

[Niamh.]

Insomnia would be one of my worst nightmares, I can't function at all if I'm tired. I do love my sleep

[Kizzy]

I have had it on and off for years, I wake up 4 or 5 times a night no matter what time I go to bed. Sometimes it's really hard to drift back off meaning I feel like crud all day.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by kizzy

I have had it on and off for years, I wake up 4 or 5 times a night no matter what time I go to bed. Sometimes it's really hard to drift back off meaning I feel like crud all day.

That must be horrible, is there any treatment for it besides sleeping tablets?

[Kizzy]

I had tablets for anxiety but I stopped taking them,didn't want to be monged out on pills haha. It was an irrational fear I realised it one day watching this morning about a woman who had OCD so bad the worry had triggered a stroke...I thought OMG I'm going to end up killing myself, and I 'had a word with myself'.

[GypsyGoth]

I used to think I had insomnia, but I just have a messed up sleeping pattern, plus I drink too much coffee.