I haven’t slept for more than 24 hours. Earlier today, I took 10 mg of Ritalin after a sleepless night to keep myself awake. Now it’s 11 p.m., and I’ve taken 0.75 mg of Alprazolam, but I’m still awake with heart palpitations. I’m really emotional and can’t stop crying because I feel like I’m letting everyone down with my poor sleep habits and dependence on substances. Medical school starts again on Monday, and I feel utterly unprepared. I’ve looked and felt out of sorts all day, and I’m sure people have noticed. I just need to find a way to relax. My head is pounding. Talking to you all here has calmed me down a bit, and I feel like I might be able to sleep soon.
Yes, you do need to calm down. Try holding ice cubes in your hands and focus on that sensation. Make sure your feet are flat on the ground, whether you’re standing or sitting. Breathe in slowly and exhale slowly. Repeat this until you feel calmer. Then, a sleep meditation might help. You can find many on YouTube or apps like Calm.
@Teo
Thanks a lot. I just tried holding the ice, and I’m already yawning. I’m going to look up a good sleep meditation now. If you have any specific recommendations, I’d love to hear them.
Levi said:
@Teo
Thanks a lot. I just tried holding the ice, and I’m already yawning. I’m going to look up a good sleep meditation now. If you have any specific recommendations, I’d love to hear them.
I personally use the Calm app. It’s been a great help to me.
You’ll pull through. When I first joined this forum, my insomnia was at its worst. I never thought I’d recover, but sticking to a regular schedule helped me tremendously. Remember, the sun will rise again.
@Bo
Your words mean a lot, thank you. I’ll try to take it easy and not rush into sleeping.
You’re okay, just extremely tired. Stop using substances as a crutch, especially now with school starting soon. Give yourself time to adjust back to a normal sleep schedule. It might take up to two weeks, but you’ll start feeling better after just a few days. And if you feel sleepy at any point, just go to bed, no matter what time it is.
@Ainsley
Thank you for the solid advice. I’ll start easing off the meds and focus on natural sleep.
Sometimes posts on here remind me of something a young student might say
Zion said:
Sometimes posts on here remind me of something a young student might say
That might actually be the case…
Zion said:
Sometimes posts on here remind me of something a young student might say
That might actually be the case…
A middle schooler in medical school? That would be something!
It’s unlikely anyone realized anything was off; they probably just thought you were really focused. You’ve learned from this, that’s all that matters. Try watching a show to distract yourself from your worries.
@Zinn
I hope you’re right. I’ve been worrying about long-term damage from lack of sleep and substance use. I’ll try watching something light to distract myself.
Levi said:
@Zinn
I hope you’re right. I’ve been worrying about long-term damage from lack of sleep and substance use. I’ll try watching something light to distract myself.
Definitely watch something light-hearted or something familiar that won’t keep you on edge. Don’t stress too much; just focus on resting, even if you’re not sleeping. You’re going to be okay.
You need to relax and give yourself some credit. You’ve accomplished a lot by getting into med school. A few bad days won’t change that. Rest up, and you’ll see things more positively.
Davin said:
You need to relax and give yourself some credit. You’ve accomplished a lot by getting into med school. A few bad days won’t change that. Rest up, and you’ll see things more positively.
Thanks for the encouragement. I’m trying to take things one step at a time.
I tried chamomile tea to help with sleep, but it didn’t work for me.
Going for a run might help. Afterward, you can jump straight into bed or take a shower—warm or cold, whatever feels best. Then, try listening to a soothing audiobook or a podcast designed to help with sleep.
If you look up ‘progressive muscle relaxation’ on YouTube, you’ll find videos that guide you through a routine to help relax your muscles and mind, which might help you sleep. Remember, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes, especially with the stress of med school.
You’ve made it through the first two years of med school, which is no small feat. Don’t let a rough patch make you doubt your abilities. Maybe try some relaxation techniques before school starts. Hang in there!