Insomnia and Obssesive Thoughts.

PattyTheUndefeated

I've noticed that since I started on this weight loss journey, that I've developed insomnia. I lay in bed, just staring at the cieling, unable to fall alseep for hours on end. Even when my body is exhausted, my mind will just not shut up. The strangest thoughts will come into my mind, and I won't be able to get them out, and I'll be up all night. I know it's not caffeine or sugar as neither are in my diet so I don't know what the problem is. Also, I've become fairly obsessive about my weight loss. It's as if I've replaced my overeating/bingeing with compulsive calorie counting and obsessing about what I'm going to eat. I've also started reorganizing my appartment compulsively. I'll attempt to organize a storage closet and I won't stop until it's done even though I'm physically exhausted; my mind doesn't stop obsessing until I'm done.

I've always had some slight issues with insomnia, but never with this kind of OCD. I'm obsessing about everything and it's scaring me. Has anyone else gone through this? What kind of help did you get?

I just want to relax, but can't. :sad:

ivykivy

Food was you comfort. You've lost that comfort. You will have to find another coping mechanism until you can deal with what is really bothering you. I'm not a trained counselor just been there:flowerforyou:

Edited to say...
Also have your thyroid checked. While you may have OCD on it's own sometimes thyroid problems can cause OCD like symptoms. I had hyperthyroidism and when It was treated the OCD like symptoms went away.

BrendaLee

I've had OCD for a long, long time- mostly obsessional thoughts. I've never really gotten any help (successfully), so I just deal with it. Definitely talk to your doc about the way you're feeling.

__

One thing I've found helps to relax your mind, get rid of the thoughts you don't want to think about, and helps with getting to sleep is to get comfy, and play a story out in your mind. It can be anything- imagine being at your goal weight, and being the center of attention at an event, imagine a scenario where you run into your high school crush or meet a celebrity you like...anything that makes you feel good.

tammietifanie

Try some hot tea and a book to calm your mind...

bluehead

Why is it that your mind decides to have every thought in the world race through your brain right when you try and go to sleep....even when I'm dog tired it takes me a while to get in the comfort zone and fall asleep. Like you said, strange thoughts ("how many people travel in the HOV lane in the morning?") I've heard one compulsive behavior replaces another when trying to quit/change habits. So many people have told me the same thing you're saying...

lizzys

try the bible and strong postive influnces try helping others it dose help i know i get like that sometimes it was bad when i was younger

Lose26LbsByXgiving

If you stay in bed over 1/2 hour and can't go to sleep..
don't stay in bed.. go do stuff until you are exhausted....
or read a boring book.

since you don't have enough sleep... did you take nap during the day? If so skip the nap. and go to bed early the next day.


Check out meditation book...it will help you to relax and it helps you to control your mind.
If you don't have to have time to read it. For right now, when you are in bed. just think one line
and get your mind to repeat it over and over again... 'I'm going to lose 26 lbs' or 'I love my body'

I have this problem and these works for me.

One more thing: don't eat protein late at night. If you have to eat it.. eat it with veggie.

COUNT DOWN: 5 mores days to lose 2.5lbs. I will lose 26 lbs (11 weeks) by xgiving and get a blue ray player as reward.:drinker:

mustang3

I have been the same way!! I lay in bed for 2-3 hours and dont fall asleep! This has just started the past 2 weeks (this is my 4th week on MFP). I also feel like I have OCD issue about counting calories and such. Im a very organized person but I wouldnt call it OCD. WIERD!

jillholleysmith

I've heard that's a common side effect of some weight loss medications (if you're on any).

Yoga works for me in that it teaches you how to clear your mind. On occasion I take diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to help me sleep. But that doesn't work for everyone.