Sleep Deprivation

[XRIMO]

I suppose I should give a little update on my situation. I have spoken to a number of my professors, who have been extremely compassionate and helpful. I have been mentioning going on a leave of absence, which seems like it will the outcome as of now. But I'm still looking into other options available.
I have not received an appointment yet for counselling, but I am in contact with the secretary and my mentor professor is going to try to have a word with her about it to see if I can be bumped up a little sooner.
I have also gone through some of my worst nights of just not sleeping. Luckily, I did manage to get some sleep last night, but only because I took a sleeping pill and my body was so damn exhausted. The previous night I had about an hour and half worth of sleep, which made me a wreck for class that day.
But I am persisting, hopefully until I can get away and visit my parents for the holidays.

[spotysocks]

Hope you get the appointment soon Xrimo .

Until then though why not try as an alternative to using sleeping pills exercise 30mins a day? Maybe if you adopt a different and more healthy life style you wont have to take the break from your course and instead give your self a new day-plan involving exercise , healthy eating, and 30 mins (or as many as you thing you need) relaxation time every day?

From experience...this could turn your life around and in a good way.

[XRIMO]

Well... I do tend to get exercise and eat healthy during my summer break because I have the time to pay attention to it.
Unfortunately, when school starts and winter approaches, getting outside and doing things vanishes. I am already starting to stop my walks to school because of the weather and temperature. I also tend to eat worse because when I am at home doing work, I like to make something fast so that I can get back to work (I'm also not a good cook and an extremely picky eater).
During my BA, I had some extra money and could afford to go out and eat something good quite often, but now I am scrounging just to keep food on the table for myself.

[spotysocks]

Totally know what you mean and this is what seems you must change or moderate if you dont want to take the break now.
Would it take a lot of your time to go to the Uni gym 30 mins 3 days a week? Also give yourself 30 mins to relax everyday. If you have free or cheap classes yoga and meditation you could take on these instead of gym/weight training ect. ? I have been in the same situation and i did realize it was my lifestyle i had to change. I used to do that when i was in uni because i was feeling VERY alone (not only lonely) stressed and stuck... i did meditation and combined it with weight training 3days p/w and when i was going back at home late was falling asleep as soon as i hit the bed. It didnt take that much of my study time really, it actually made it kind of better. mile:

[XRIMO]

Finally I have an appointment with the counselling services at my university. But I think its a bit too late. I have a meeting with the graduate chair of the department to discuss what I should for the coming term. I told her that I needed to make a decision this week on whether I would try and stay, or go on leave. So, I guess I will just have to see what happens. I will post more when I find out.

[XRIMO]

Well, I am going on a break for the next term. It kinda sucks because I will have to probably stay an extra year to complete my MA, but in some ways I don't mind.
So, now I basically have nothing to do except my TA class for rest of this term, and then I get to go see my family for the holidays.
I still have a counselling appointment Friday, and I have no idea what to expect from that. Oh well, the road to well-being has begun.

[fjp999]

Good luck in your road to recovery. I definitely recommend taking your health into your own hands. Listen to your docs and take their advice and try the meds but if you find you cant get on with your doc then try to change to a new one... if your med isnt working make sure you are on the phone to the doc to get it changed.

These docs sometimes dont really understand what one individual is going thru.

I had to have a liver biopsy and the doc said there would be NO pain. I cant tell you how wrong he was. It felt like a bullet going thru my body but in slow motion - then the doc said "sorry, we have to go in for a second sample".

Most docs dont know their own treatments so you have to take charge.

again, good luck,
frank

[XRIMO]

Well I definately feel better after talking to the counselor. She said that I most likely suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
But she was very impressed with my decisions and the control I exerted over my situation, rather than just trying to hide it. So we talked about everything from my childhood and family, to how I feel about my courses and my profs. It was nice because it put certain things in perspective that I did not really give any thought to before.
I scheduled a second appointment for anything else that I might think of in the next couple weeks, or if any concerns arise.
Plus, I am going on a leave of absence from my MA for the next term, but I will have time to figure out what kind of courses I want to take in order to finish.
I definately feel a bit happier now, but I still have a ways to go before I feel normal again.

[Mark]

Woah long read but glad for you! Wish you the best.

May I say anyone which is having trouble sleeping and not due to something this serious I had it before, and the advice I got was put a few slow relaxing songs on a playlist on an ipod and listen on repeat.. First few times wont work instantly, but eventually your mind gets used to it and basically you wil fall asleep. I do this even now! As soon as I put the pod on (even if im wide awake!) within 5 minutes x.x asleep to the world!

Try it may work x

[Shadow]

That's a really good idea - creating an atmosphere in which you feel relaxed causes you TO relax, and then you offer yourself up to sleepyness ... mile:.

Fair play, good plan !! :biggrin:.

xx

!?!?! Shadow !?!?!