OCD that affects sleep

[Guest moose]

Hi folks,

I'm currently doing an online CBT course and I've tried at least one before, as well as reading several books, but none of them seem to have a solution to my particular problem: an OCD that only really occurs when I'm in bed and trying to sleep.

The problem is that many of the suggested CBT techniques do not work or do not apply. I cannot delay rituals rather than avoiding them, because that means I will be counting down the delay instead of sleeping. Ditto with distracting mysefl by thinking of other things, that might avoid the rituals, but it will still keep me awake. The reason it's so problematic is that the anxiety attached to OCD becomes a problem in itself: if I'm anxious then I won't sleep and if I don't sleep I will underperform at work and/or risk crashing due to tired driving while commuting (I have had my eyes lose focus while driving due to tiredness several times before, but never actually had an accident as I would always pull over and rest them when it happened)

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to deal with this?

[felix4]

Hi & welcome Moosey,

How about going to bed earlier?

Seriously though, have you seen your GP about this? They might be able to prescribe you a med to help take the edge off of the OCD & help with sleep problems, & perhaps refer you on to a specialist who can tailor the CBT a little better.

All the best.

[Guest HateMyLife]

Other things that I thought of that might not have to do with medications are watching television, listening to music, reading a book, etc while you try to sleep. You said that you try to think of other things to distract yourself to fall asleep. So the way I interpreted it is you are lying in bed and literally trying to think of other things. When you do something like watch tv, listen to music, read a book, etc, it can sometimes help your mind to calm down. But make sure whatever it is your watching isn't too exciting or something that can get you hooked. For example, I used to watch Law and Order episodes on netflix to help me sleep. Though the shows are interesting, they don't have an excitement factor that will get you paying close attention to it. I hope that makes sense. I also know with my last girlfriend, that she would fall asleep really easy if she were sleeping next to someone. Do you have a significant other that doesn't mind sleeping with you at night?

[Guest moose]

I generally don't watch anything or similar to help me sleep - I just prefer darkness and silence. The problem is that the online course is going on and on about different "coping strategies" and none of them are usable because they would all involve being awake.

I don't have someone who'll sleep with me.

[Guest sarahanne14]

Hi there Moose, I just happened upon your post with interest as it is my ten year old son whom has ocd and his troubles are much worse at night, we have tried everything and it got to the point where I was sitting on his bedroom floor for hours waiting for him to fall asleep. I then read somewhere that it might help to put a dvd on for him(one he knows well so wont stay awake to watch it). it does seem to have helped him switch off and relax. I have also started giving him Nytol herbal tablets when he is very anxious which has been a success. ( fingers crossed). Anything with good quality valerian root was recommended to me. I really hope you can find some thing to help because although not a sufferer myself I can empathise with sleep deprivation and the effects it can have. Wishing you luck and kind wishes.

Sarah

[Guest steph72]

Hi I know this post is really old but did you sort the problem out? I have the same problem and fall asleep with the news on easily but as soon as I switch it off my brain wakes the ocd up ? And then I'm off check check checking. I don't like to keep the tv on all night and do have good nights of sleeping any advice would be appreciated.

[Guest yinyang]

Most TV's have a timer so have you tried having it turn off by itself after you have fallen to sleep?

[Handy]

Avoid sugar, caffeine, etc.

Its very common, anxiety causes lack of sleep, lack of sleep causes more anxiety & cycle repeats.

Sometimes I peddle an imaginary bike in bed, that does the trick as does changing sleep position.