Cuthbert

Does anyone struggle to sleep at night because you're worrying or have feelings of guilt (I haven't done anything wrong, it's more me letting my family down and general feelings of worthlessness), to the point where it's almost unbearable? It has been going on for me for a little while now, I can recall it since Autumn 2011 but recently it's been happening every night.

I've also started to have the same feelings in the daytime a lot now. I feel bad at this moment. It's hard for me to talk about it to be honest, even anonymously on the internet, although I have been diagnosed with depression and have had contact with two or three support groups, I do not actually talk about this with anyone.

Burning Down

If my mind is running a million miles a minute, filled with worries about random things, yes I will have trouble falling asleep. This is a common problem with anxiety disorders, but I'm managing mine now so this hasn't happened in quite awhile. Of course it's hard to talk about these things - you don't want to look weak or vulnerable to other people, or what have you - but that can often make it worse. Of course, it's up to you whether you feel the need or feel comfortable seeking support and talking about it, but it would be a good start. Only you know what's best for you.

Cuthbert

Thanks for replying BD.

Is there anything that you can recommend that you do to manage it (sleep)? Usually I just don't try to sleep until I'm actually shattered because then I won't be just lying there making myself feel anxious. I've used sleeping pills before as well. That's probably bad

I do think it'd be best to do something.

Joekie

No, suicide is not cowardly, nor selfish. One of my friends committed suicide 7 years ago. It took me a long time to get over his death. And an important part of coping with the grief was realising that, no, it is not cowardly or selfish to commit suicide. Suicide is not really a choice to end your life. It's perceived as the only way to end the psychological pain.

And yes I have been angry, very angry that he did this. How could he do this to his friends and to his family? Until I realised that he could see no other way out. Suicidality causes changes in brain chemistry and physiology. It really is an illness and it must be treated with medications. And my friend did seek help. He was being treated by a psychologist. And even that wasn't enough.

Another important aspect of coping with a suicide is getting over the guilt. I kept thinking 'Had I said this or that to him, then maybe...' But I have learned that no one is responsible for for his death, and that there was no way that I could have saved him from the psychological pain he suffered from.

I have never really felt suicidal myself. There have been moments that I thought being hit by a bus wouldn't be too bad. But those thoughts were always followed very quickly by feeling that those are absurd thoughts. I could never end my life, because I know I love life too much.

PoorOldPo

That is some scary shi t.

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Sansa Stark

Being homeless is kind of fun, personally. Although I was only homeless for like 2 months.

CrazyVegn

Ive tried to kill mysel subconsciously more than a few times by driving near rr tracks and falling asleep in the tub drunk.
I am not afraid to die but decided to stay here for ppl who need me.
It is a huge turn off when a man is afraid of death.
Fluff a muff dont count cuz cats are afraid of everything

Scarlett O'Hara

Yeah you don't want to rely on sleeping pills because you can become dependent on them.

My counsellor taught me to lie on the floor and clench and let go ever part of your body right up to your head while focusing on your breathing. Also imagining you are somewhere else like a beach and thinking about all the little details of that place. It can really calm you down if you are anxious or even depressed. The next step is for you to maybe talk to someone you trust or get CBT from a counsellor when you are ready.

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ghosty

Suicide is sort of a tricky subject to try to generalise because there are so many different reasons and circumstances that can go into it... That said, I don't usually think it's selfish, unless the reasoning is completely ridiculous (such as a 13-year-old getting dumped by her "boyfriend" of two weeks). I do understand though, that if two people go through a very similar event, it can affect them differently since different people have stronger or weaker reactions to things depending on their mental state.

I don't think suicide, in most cases, is cowardly but I can sort of see why someone might say that it is (but that doesn't mean I won't debate with them on it). I mean, it's somewhat selfish for the person to leave their friends and family behind, but at the same time, they might not understand that because by that time they've probably convinced themselves that their friends and family are better off without them, therefore thinking they're doing them a favour. At the same time, it's sort of selfish in a way for friends and family to try to guilt the person into not doing it (which happens quite a lot) when they can see that they've been suffering for a long time and they've lost all hope of things getting better... To me, it's not fair to ask someone to live in misery if they've been trying to hold on and things just aren't getting any better, and while we'd all like to think that things eventually look up... Sometimes they just don't.

All that being said... In 99% of cases, I do not believe suicide is cowardly.

Astronomer

I was recommended taking Phenergan (promethazine) by my dcotor, to help me sleep at night. It's not a sleeping pill, it's an antihistamine, but it makes you sleepy and helps relieve anxiety. In Australia you can buy it over the counter, but I think in other places you might need a prescription for it. Anyway, it does nothing for me, even when I take the maximum dosage, but I've heard that it has helped others. It's a fairly safe and non-addictive drug.

One thing that also might help you sleep is a magnesium supplement. I have a special magnesium supplement that is a night-time formula powder, it also has other substances in it that promote muscle relaxation and relief from tension headaches. It's not a drug, it's a vitamin. If you ask chemists about magnesium "night" supplements I'm sure they'll know what you're talking about. I have a scoop of the powder every night in a glass of water and I think over time it has helped me relax and get to sleep at night time. I also have a lot of trouble sleeping at night and often get night terrors or anxiety. Good luck!

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