I’m struggling with severe insomnia after stopping an antidepressant six months ago. For the past 30 years, I had no sleep issues, but now I can’t sleep for more than 3 hours a night. Despite having stress-free days and feeling extremely tired, nothing helps. Doctors have suggested anti-anxiety or sleeping medications, but I’m hesitant due to my previous experiences with antidepressants. I quit my job because I can’t function. I’m looking for advice that goes beyond sleep hygiene and magnesium—anything that might help me get through these withdrawal symptoms and avoid this ordeal in the future.
Consider meditation, reading spiritual texts like the Bible, and trying cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. These helped me recover from insomnia after a concussion. You have support from both spiritual and therapeutic sources to find peace.
Explore the Huberman sleep cocktail, use Headspace for guided sleep meditations, and try listening to sleep meditations on YouTube. Also, expose yourself to early morning light and avoid alcohol.
Andi said:
Explore the Huberman sleep cocktail, use Headspace for guided sleep meditations, and try listening to sleep meditations on YouTube. Also, expose yourself to early morning light and avoid alcohol.
I’ve tried most of those suggestions. What’s in the Huberman sleep cocktail?
I’ve had similar issues with sleep disturbance after quitting an antidepressant. My sleep schedule has been inconsistent ever since.
I recommend trying the Loóna app. It’s engaging and helps distract the mind with 3D coloring scenes, which can help you relax enough to sleep. It’s available on iOS, and while new content is limited, the existing library is quite extensive and affordable.
Consider checking if you have an omega-3 deficiency, as it can impact sleep by affecting the brain’s ability to produce sleep hormones. Foods rich in omega-3 include salmon, tuna, almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, spirulina, avocado, eggs, and algae oil. Additionally, L-theanine found in green tea might help.