| A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes: i have delayed sleep syndrome it is hereditary in my family and means that my natural bio clock is from 4 am to 12am, even as a kid i couldn't sleep before this time. i've managed with this at uni and things. but i havent been able to properly sleep now for two weeks. i feel constantly moody and angry. i get very scared at night. i panic that my house is going to be broken into to the point where i keep knives in my room. i double check all of the locks, that all windows are closed. i have to sleep with my tv on because i think i can see things in the dark. i use earplugs but it still doesn't block all noises out and even a slight twitch or movement that i may be able to hear wakes me up. i have been having reoccurant nightmares of rape and burglary. i wake up in a sweat and check everywhere with a kitchen knife in hand and that my family members are still safe.i realise this all seems a bit daft but i feel constantly tired i do not fully understand why.i am under no stress not with anybody sleeping pills haven't worked on me very well in the past. any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. i have tryed things like routine, no caffine no drinking warm baths lavender oils none of this works.
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female
reader, kittykhaos  +, writes (22 August 2009):
 Omg i have never met another person who has this i have the same thing with the burglary and the scary dreams and the slightest noise wakes me up. I have been this way since i was 10 years old . Thank you for posting this i had no idea it was a real disorder i have a therapist who insists it is just down to my depression and lack of routine. I used to manage a night club and it fit my hours perfectly. I like you have tried to cut out everything. Maybe you do have something underlying that makes the dreams and stuff and maybe you do suffer from anxiety i know this plays a huge roll with my issues. Try and see if counciling helps. But really thank you so much for this post im sorry i can't help x
A
male
reader, Perspicacious +, writes (21 August 2009):
There is nothing worse than sleep deprivation, and it can turn into a vicious cycle. You want to sleep so you get anxious because you can't, and because you are anxious you can't sleep!
You say you have tried "routine" which can mean many things. One technique which worked well for me was forcing myself to go to bed later each day rather than worrying about sleeping earlier.
The basic idea is you go to bed later each day, for example:
Day 1: 4.00am
Day 2: 8.00am
Day 3: 12.00pm
Day 4: 4.00pm
Day 5: 8.00pm
Day 6 onwards, you sleep from 12 until 8am each day.
The idea is by doing this you are extra tired when it comes to bedtime (so should sleep), and after a few days you have moved your sleeping pattern to where you want it to be.
It does sound like your anxiety is growing to quite high levels. Hopefully getting a good night sleep will help that a lot, but if not it could be something you wish to explore with a professional (such as a counsellor).
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