Doctors Answers (4)
If this is a chronic problem you need professional help. Don't keep treating yourself and obtain a referral from your primary doctor to see a sleep specialist to begin to employ Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for you.
Read on sleep hygiene. You can google search and find tons of information on sleep hygiene and ways to get a good night sleep. If that doesnot work, then consider evaluation by a sleep specialist.
First, the amount of sleep you get is secondary to the quality of sleep you are getting. 5 hours of good sleep is better than 10 hours of bad sleep. Second, how long has this been going on? 10 years? 10 months? Are the sleep aides you have tried approved by the FDA for sleep? Over the counter agents often have an adverse effect on sleep. You need to see a board certified sleep specialist. There are treatments other than medication. These include cognitive behavioral therapy which includes biofeedback and imaging techniques which help with sleep.
If you have tried so many sleep medications, and continue to sleep only 2 hours a night, it is advisable to speak with a behavioral sleep medicine specialist. This type of practitioner can offer you alternative or complementary treatments that may help you.
