Hi guyz @Ant7 @TAB @Bill16 @MDT
@cutiepiekitty I have found volunteering and sharing about it helpful when dealing with big groups. We cant predict everything that comes up, but it can often be rewarding. Best of luck with it.
I have found putting sleep hygeine practices in place can help, medication can help, but neither are "bulletproof" solutions. Life and its myriad of upset still happen and interfere. I had sleep meds prescribed a few years earlier and always woke up after 4 hours! My doctor was very wary and I took that on board and was grateful that he was not just a pill dispenser but looked at health wholistically. He saved my life in that he cared and talked things through. That is not saying that meds do not help. For the last 2 years I have taken a med at night that has helped keep things stable, but stil even with the meds I have sleep free nights like the day before yesterday. Its just what I struggle with, with all the trauma I have had.
When I joined the forum I took the unusual counterintuitive action of deciding to be up all night. I had struggled for over 10 years with helping my son with his sleep issues and I was such a mess of over thinking everything ( mebe still am .. lol but I can laugh at it now .. its not always laughable tho). I was up at night for a year. It was difficult to shift back to daylight hours again but eventually it shifted.
@Mazarita started the started the Night shift thread and the Long Rave thread. It was so good to just be able to post whatever time and not scold myself or feel wrong and increase the mental strain.
It helped normalise my son's behaviour a bit. I could joke and understand online life and living at night more, so was not seen as simply oppositional to his "needs". I am not suggesting it as a cure, as it is not practical and just suited my set of circumstances, but it was a positive linchpin in changing some of the struggles we both had with sleep. My sons sleep overall is a lot better and so is mine.
Take Care ALL
I am alright. Thanks @Ant7 It means something to me that you ask.
Today my son has scheduled in his diary. "Stealing mums stuff". We are going through what we needs for moving out next week. SO I there will be ups and downs, but it wont be a waste of time.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.