By Your writing, it seems
1. You have only sleep problem and you are pity confident you don't have depression
2. Your total sleep duration consist of 4 to 5 hour of deep sleep with few more hours of light sleep in the morning
3. You also seem to be habituated with sedatives
Well, the normal sleep duration for most of peoples is of 6 to 8 hour. Some sleeps for almost 4 hours or less, and feels refreshment without any problem. Some sleeps more than 10 hours a day, still crave for few more hours.
You have not explained your problem precisely [Insomnia is broad term that include disturbance in either quality or quantity of sleep. It includes difficulty falling asleep, reduction in total duration of sleep, frequent nocturnal awaking, early morning awakening, and overall a non-refreshing sleep]
You have not mentioned the amount of sleeping pills you are taking for your problem. But you are requested to go through a
psychiatrist message about sleeping pills. “Sleeping pills are bad & habit forming. It can’t be depended on for long duration as it losses efficacy, its long term side effects include cognitive decline & memory impairment. Abrupt withdrawal of sleeping pills leads to withdrawal syndrome consisting of rebound insomnia,
restlessness, craving,
diarrhoea, agitation, perspiration,
tachycardia,
nervousness etc.”
Solution for your problem
I. Don’t worry; your problem can be solved with your effort
II. Taper the dose of sleeping pill very gradually
III. Replace short acting benzodiazepines [E.g. Alprazolam] with equivalent doses of long acting congeners [E.g.
Clonazepam,
Lorazepam, Diazapam ]
IV. Practice Sleep Hygiene
• Avoid napping during the day
• Avoid stimulants too close to bedtime
• Exercise [Moderate exercise in the morning or late afternoon; a relaxing exercise like yoga before bed]
• Stay away from large meals close to bedtime
• Ensure adequate exposure to natural light
• Establish a regular bedtime routine [Fixed time to go to bed & out of bed]
• Don’t bring your day time problems to bed
• Bed should be meant for sleep only not for watching movies, listening music or mobile chat with your friend
V. Still no respite after trying this, take the help of psychiatrist
Thank you…