Amy Rupp (insomnia)
Teacher
Bastrop, TX
I've had bad sleep habits since college and I remember having to make up sleep when I was working too hard, but my problem was manageable until the last two years. I spent my Spring Break vacation trying to get the grading done and the reports turned in, so I stayed up late that whole week. I was focused on work and trying to make the goals of the job and get things done and I overextended myself. After that, I couldn't sleep anymore. As time went on, my anxiety increased about going to bed. I would end up losing sleep during the week and then sleeping all weekend, but I never caught up. I would try to do things that would make me sleepy. I took hot baths, I took deep breaths, and I would read and try not to think about it. I'd get tired, fall asleep, and then wake up again or I would end up reading until 2am.
I'd tried listening to guided relaxation CDs and they didn't do anything for me, so eventually my doctor prescribed a sleep medication. It was miserable for me. Sleep was all that I focused on and I was tired regardless of what I did or what I tried. It got to the point where I really started to resent bed time. I could usually make it through the week, but by the time it got to Thursday I hit the wall and I would depend on Ambien to fall asleep at night and Ritalin during the day to stay awake. I felt trapped and out of control. I couldn't see any way out of the pattern. Bedtime became a big monster for me and I felt really angry about it and started to take it out on my husband.
I heard about Laura from my doctor who suggested her services when I told him that I wanted to get rid of the Ambien. The first time that I met with her, I realized that there were a lot of things that I hadn't been seeing and working on my insomnia revealed some other things for me to work on and improve in my life.
At this point, I haven't used any sleep medication in a month and it's been great for me. I can have fun now because I'm sleeping regularly and I don't have to waste all weekend trying to catch up on my sleep. I've also noticed that I have more energy. I don't feel anxious about going to sleep and can set my own schedule now and feel more in control. I feel confident now because I know that I can get to sleep on my own.
I'm now able to sleep in the bed with my husband without being disturbed by his breathing or moving around and I can even sleep with the TV on in the next room. I would definitely recommend A New Day Hypnosis because there's been a lot more to it than just overcoming my insomnia. It's been really empowering to me and it's a wonderful natural way to solve the problem. I'm confident that this is permanent because I'm able to sleep restfully on my own and that's been a miracle for me.