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Can Any Doctor Can Reaffirm That I Won't Get Schizophrenia?
Question: Hello, I've used this site before for reassurance and it has helped me.
Unfortunately, I've headed down a dark insomnia path again. And just like in the times in the past when I've come here, it's my anxiety of not sleeping and what it will do to me that bothers me.
I don't think I'm a terrible sleeper most of the time, but I do have a schedule that has me sleep from 8 am to 4 pm local time. Because of that, I will sometimes have to go a day without much sleep when I need to do something earlier than 4 pm.
Last Monday I failed to get any sleep, giving me my first all nighter since probably high school. My mind went into a meltdown thinking that I will now start to deteriorate. This caused more sleepless days through the week and now, a week later, I've had 3 sleepless days along with mostly mediocre sleep on the others. I even tried medication for the first time in my life, finding that ativan helped me sleep a bit after a completely sleepless day.
All of that is to now say that I'm dealing with bad anxiety around sleep and am looking for reassurance.
1. I'm worried that I won't be able to sleep well naturally again. Even though I've only taken medication like 4 of the 8 nights, the days without it leave me anxious.
2. I'm now scared that my sleep deprivation will get worse and worse, eventually leading me to some type of mental breakdown. I'm 28 years old and mentally healthy outside of hypochondria and sleep fears, but I'm deathly devastated of randomly getting schizophrenia or something because of my lack of sleep. I know that you can develop temporary psychosis from poor sleep, but is it even possible to actually go permanently mad because of insomnia with no prior instances.
I think if I can make myself understand that while sleep is important and I won't feel good if I sleep poorly, that I can still maintain sanity and live my life while going through some sleepless nights.
If any doctor can reaffirm that I won't get schizophrenia or some terrible health disorder from severe insomnia, I will feel better. I do know I need to get my sleep better, but I just can't sleep because I'm always so anxious that if I don't sleep, I'm going to go crazy.
Thank you.
Unfortunately, I've headed down a dark insomnia path again. And just like in the times in the past when I've come here, it's my anxiety of not sleeping and what it will do to me that bothers me.
I don't think I'm a terrible sleeper most of the time, but I do have a schedule that has me sleep from 8 am to 4 pm local time. Because of that, I will sometimes have to go a day without much sleep when I need to do something earlier than 4 pm.
Last Monday I failed to get any sleep, giving me my first all nighter since probably high school. My mind went into a meltdown thinking that I will now start to deteriorate. This caused more sleepless days through the week and now, a week later, I've had 3 sleepless days along with mostly mediocre sleep on the others. I even tried medication for the first time in my life, finding that ativan helped me sleep a bit after a completely sleepless day.
All of that is to now say that I'm dealing with bad anxiety around sleep and am looking for reassurance.
1. I'm worried that I won't be able to sleep well naturally again. Even though I've only taken medication like 4 of the 8 nights, the days without it leave me anxious.
2. I'm now scared that my sleep deprivation will get worse and worse, eventually leading me to some type of mental breakdown. I'm 28 years old and mentally healthy outside of hypochondria and sleep fears, but I'm deathly devastated of randomly getting schizophrenia or something because of my lack of sleep. I know that you can develop temporary psychosis from poor sleep, but is it even possible to actually go permanently mad because of insomnia with no prior instances.
I think if I can make myself understand that while sleep is important and I won't feel good if I sleep poorly, that I can still maintain sanity and live my life while going through some sleepless nights.
If any doctor can reaffirm that I won't get schizophrenia or some terrible health disorder from severe insomnia, I will feel better. I do know I need to get my sleep better, but I just can't sleep because I'm always so anxious that if I don't sleep, I'm going to go crazy.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Treatment for this situation is necessary, read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
It is a very good thing that you know the root of your problem with insomnia, i.e. your anxiety.
Sleep deprivation does not cause psychosis, but may lead to dysfunction in almost all daily activities, and may result in significant fatigue.
In my opinion, you should use for one month or two, sleep promoting medications, and melatonin one hour before bed is one of the natural compounds for this purpose with no risks of addiction or adverse effects.
Short-term use of anxiolytics such as alprazolam for example may be of benefit too, together with behavioural therapy by a Psychologist.
Discuss with a Psychologist these issues.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thanks.
Treatment for this situation is necessary, read below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
It is a very good thing that you know the root of your problem with insomnia, i.e. your anxiety.
Sleep deprivation does not cause psychosis, but may lead to dysfunction in almost all daily activities, and may result in significant fatigue.
In my opinion, you should use for one month or two, sleep promoting medications, and melatonin one hour before bed is one of the natural compounds for this purpose with no risks of addiction or adverse effects.
Short-term use of anxiolytics such as alprazolam for example may be of benefit too, together with behavioural therapy by a Psychologist.
Discuss with a Psychologist these issues.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. Are there psychologists on this site than can also chime in?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Yes, there are Psychologists in this site, you can search in your dashboard for this speciality.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
I would explain as follows.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Yes, there are Psychologists in this site, you can search in your dashboard for this speciality.
Hope I helped you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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