[Anonymous]

I'm 16 and i've got some mega sleeping problems. Everytime i lie down to go sleep i get some semi-OCD like i cannot carry on 'trying' to go sleep unless i close the cupboard door, or scratch my head and it just keeps building up. Especially on exam days!

I've tried everything online that i possibly can, camomile tea's, changing certain things in room, no computer/tv for 1/2 hours before, eating before ive tried it all

What can i do? Its affecting my exams and can't do anything about it. Someone please reccomend something, i don't want to get sleeping pills as i don't want to get dependant on them. PLEASE?


tl;dr: Major sleeping problems, tried everything possible online and others, no options left - affecting exams. What can i do?

[EckoGecko]

Have you seen a GP? Is it just during exam period or all the time?

[harrietx123x]

I know this probably won't be very helpful, but hey, it's worth a shot. Have you tried listening to calming music/sounds or imagining a relaxing scene. I find this really helps, but it may not helps problems as extreme as yours.

[Scope_o_steth]

Hi

First of all, getting panic-y about this is only going to make it worse, so just try to relax. A lot of people have trouble sleeping during exam season but this sounds like something more.

I know you've said you don't want to go on sleeping pills but I if were you I'd go and see my doctor. It sounds like insomnia to me and I'm sure your doctor would suggest other solutions besides sleeping pills.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by harrietx123x)
I know this probably won't be very helpful, but hey, it's worth a shot. Have you tried listening to calming music/sounds or imagining a relaxing scene. I find this really helps, but it may not helps problems as extreme as yours.

(Original post by Scope_o_steth)
Hi

First of all, getting panic-y about this is only going to make it worse, so just try to relax. A lot of people have trouble sleeping during exam season but this sounds like something more.

I know you've said you don't want to go on sleeping pills but I if were you I'd go and see my doctor. It sounds like insomnia to me and I'm sure your doctor would suggest other solutions besides sleeping pills.

Yeahh tried the music, didn't work Made it worse one day, as i just about fell asleep, and randomly woke up and couldn't sleep the whole night, so messed up the exam that day


And its a lot WORSE at exam periods, its never the stress of the exam but more the stress of thinking whether ill get enough sleep or not its weird

And i don't think there are any alternatives, except melatonin which i am yet to try

[moya]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Yeahh tried the music, didn't work Made it worse one day, as i just about fell asleep, and randomly woke up and couldn't sleep the whole night, so messed up the exam that day


And its a lot WORSE at exam periods, its never the stress of the exam but more the stress of thinking whether ill get enough sleep or not its weird

And i don't think there are any alternatives, except melatonin which i am yet to try

do you go to sleep when you are actually sleepy

[audi_turbo]

I'm slightly familiar with the "semi OCD" however the best advice is just to completely ignore it, that's the only way you'll beat it.

[IgorYakov]

(Original post by moya)
do you go to sleep when you are actually sleepy

Im only actually sleepy REALLY late like 3/4, and i can't do that on exam days when i have a morning exam so i have to force myself to sleep earlier.

Ive tried getting myself used to going sleep early - waking up early, it just doesn't work out

And i can normally function on 6/7 hours of sleep but don't trust that 'function' on exam days.

[Anonymous]

Go to your local pharmacy and ask for some nytol or sominex, they'll both make you drowsy and help you sleep.

[Scope_o_steth]

How long do you try each 'solution' for? I think having a regular routine will help you sleep, and if you're continually changing routine (listening to music, drinking camomile tea etc) your body won't have time to get into a regular pattern of behaviour.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Scope_o_steth)
How long do you try each 'solution' for? I think having a regular routine will help you sleep, and if you're continually changing routine (listening to music, drinking camomile tea etc) your body won't have time to get into a regular pattern of behaviour.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

(Original post by Anonymous)
Go to your local pharmacy and ask for some nytol or sominex, they'll both make you drowsy and help you sleep.

I've tried them for a long time i would say. This has been happening to me for as far as i can remember, even had to take sleeping pills when i was around 8

But its more important now as exams are coming up - main ones, GCSE, next year A-level so more worried


And wouldn't they make me dependant on them :O? Like i'll need it everynight to fall asleep?

[akemikat]

I have sleeping troubles on and off too, I think I suffer from sporadic insomnia.

Things people have recommended to help:

• warm milk or cammomile tea
• lavendar oil on the pillow (works quite well for me)
• herbal sleeping tablets are better than doctor prescribed I just use Sainsbury's own
• deep breathing exercise: breath in slowly for 7 counts, hold your breath for 7, and breath out slowly for 7 counts (my grandma swore by it)
• sex (assuming you're over 16)
• stay away from bed before bedtime (I have a habit of sitting in bed with my laptop!)
• keep active during the day (when I revise for an exam I used to find I wouldn't leave the house for the whole weekend before.. bad news cos you're body doesn't exert enough energy during the day so it's harder to sleep. Go for a walk/run in the afternoon)
• get plenty of fresh air and sunlight (vitamin D) is very good during the day for helping you sleep at night (seriously I know it sounds bat**** but if the sun is there, get in it.. study in the park or something.. it really helps)
• might be stating the obvious but don't have caffeine after 6.

[Scope_o_steth]

(Original post by Anonymous)
I've tried them for a long time i would say. This has been happening to me for as far as i can remember, even had to take sleeping pills when i was around 8

But its more important now as exams are coming up - main ones, GCSE, next year A-level so more worried


And wouldn't they make me dependant on them :O? Like i'll need it everynight to fall asleep?

Hmm, you have a point about the whole dependency thing =\

It's a wide shot but you could always try hypnosis. I know it sounds silly but I've heard it works for some people.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[hannah_dru]

I don't think you can get addicted to Nytol but I might be wrong. According to sites I looked at online, the active ingredient itself isn't addictive. There are also other herbal ones which aren't addictive.

I can vouch for hypnosis.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Scope_o_steth)
Hmm, you have a point about the whole dependency thing =\

It's a wide shot but you could always try hypnosis. I know it sounds silly but I've heard it works for some people.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

(Original post by hannah_dru)
I don't think you can get addicted to Nytol but I might be wrong. According to sites I looked at online, the active ingredient itself isn't addictive. There are also other herbal ones which aren't addictive.

I can vouch for hypnosis.

Tried as much hypnosis I can find even certain wave sounds and even white noise. Its just the fact that my brain goes mental, i just think of things non stop no matter how hard i stop, and if its something important i have the urge to write it down so i quickly jot it on my phone, if i dont write it down ill keep thinking about it :/ Nothing i can do

[hannah_dru]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Tried as much hypnosis I can find even certain wave sounds and even white noise. Its just the fact that my brain goes mental, i just think of things non stop no matter how hard i stop, and if its something important i have the urge to write it down so i quickly jot it on my phone, if i dont write it down ill keep thinking about it :/ Nothing i can do

I mean actual hypnosis with a person doing it on you.

[Dobrzynski]

I suggest that you should have a big hot bubbly bath before bed. Calm yourself and chill in the bath for an hour plus. Studies have shown that the process of cooling down, such as from getting out of the bath, creates tiredness. It will make you feel clean, refreshed and happy before bed.

If not, get some help from your GP

EDIT: why the neg...

[Princessofhistory]

Hot chocolate and a warm bath before bed. If that fails to do the trick then if you have a partner get them to sleep with you and rub your head lol. If you don't have a partner watch some videos of some cats snuggling and it will make you feel tired and comfortable in your bed. Or you could take advantage of your compulsive behaviour and count sheep in your head until it tuckers you out.

[tompy123]

It sounds like you're panicking about the difficulties you're having with falling asleep. What you're experiencing is quite normal for many people. It might be best to try and view the situation differently. Try not to see it as something which is bad, but rather, see it as something which is just normal - which it is for lots of people. I understand it must be a nuisance during exams but I'm sure there will be other people in the same boat as you. Have you ever tried reading while lying down? I find this a great way to fall asleep quite quickly. If you do try this, it will help if you have only a dim light on.

[harufi]

I'm awkward with sleeping too, lately I've been sleeping 7am-10am on normal days (study leave) and 5am-8am on exam days.
Not sure what you've tried, but for me doing exercise like 3 or 4 hours before I go to bed makes me drowsy. Every night I put some lavender oil on my pillow which helps with drifting off. Big bubbly bath a couple of hours before you sleep helps your body think you're going to sleep with the temperature change.
Do you have much tea or coffee? You're not supposed to have any after 6pm, but I'm sensitive to diet so having any at all (like early in the morning) stops me from sleeping properly for a couple of nights.
I'd see your GP, even if you're worried about sleeping pill addiction. You could try relaxation techniques too

Edit: like the above, try reading with the lights dimmed for an hour or two. I listen to music with the lights off for a few hours which helps me sleep, especially instrumental versions of pop songs.