Chronic Insomnia Treatment - How Cognitive Behavior Techniques (CBT) Worked For Me

For over 10 years I suffered with chronic insomnia. And I do mean suffered.



My persistent sleeplessness had a disastrous effect on virtually every aspect of my life. Life is hard enough as it is, but trying to make it through each day on little if any sleep is like dragging a 200-pound block of cement behind you all day.



Chronic insomnia (or long-term insomnia or hyper-insomnia as it is sometimes called) is nearly relentless sleeplessness that can last indefinitely, even for one's entire life, if no effectual treatment is received.



Chronic insomnia grows out of short-term insomnia and is mainly caused and perpetuated by unfounded, negative thoughts and self-defeating behaviors associated with sleep.



Road To Recovery



I started on the road to recover when I realized that the "secret" to beating insomnia is to be analytical in one's approach toward it. For many years, I was merely emotional about my sleeplessness, and this helped to cause the problem to spiral further out of control.



Being analytical toward my sleeplessness prompted me, over many years and much trial and error, to develop a systematic solution that basically cured me of insomnia.



Cognitive-behavioral Solution



My solution is mostly based on cognitive and behavioral techniques.



By cognitive, I mean that I taught myself the proper, rational way to think about and evaluate sleep. For example, I worked to eliminate such negative thoughts as "I know I will sleep poorly tonight." These kinds of thoughts invariably result in a self-fulfilling prophecy.



By behavioral, I mean that I eventually stopped acting in ways that perpetuated and fed the insomnia. For instance, instead of avoiding being active because I was tired, I would act as if I were not too tired. Being active helped to wear me out which would result in better sleep. In addition, being active sent the message to my subconscious that I was not someone crippled with sleeplessness, but that I was normal. Such a message would help to reduce the anxiety I felt at bedtime.



Chronic insomnia can be very difficult to overcome. Don't give up hope, however, if you suffer with it. If you work hard and put forth plenty of thought, action, and perseverance, you can rid yourself of it. I'm living testimony to that.