'Hypnosis helped my insomnia'
Living with insomnia
I've been having problems getting to sleep on and off over the past 18 years. I can be exhausted, but as soon as my head hits the pillow it's like my mind wakes up and I have a million things going round it. All my worries and concerns from the day keep bouncing round in my mind, even really minor things. I've tried loads of things to cure my insomnia, like acupuncture, bedtime teas, hops and valerian tincture (which are herbs which help you relax, you can get them from Holland & Barrett), and melatonin tablets (which is the hormone which regulates your body's sleep/wake cycle, and which people take for jet lag).
I've also physically exhausted myself at the gym, hoping I'll just pass out in the evening. But none of this really helped my insomnia (although these things can help some people, so it's worth a try). The doctor has given me short courses of sleeping tablets called Zolpidem, which work but can make me feel a bit 'groggy' the next day, and you can't take them long term.
One of the best insomnia cures I have tried is seeing a hypnotherapist, who taught me relaxation self-hypnosis. It was quite hard to learn at first, but it really did help my mind to 'quieten down' so that I could fall asleep. It takes a bit of discipline, but it's worth it to get a proper night's rest.
Jane Barnes, 34, Leicester
Share this article
jane, 8 months [Offensive? Unsuitable? Report this comment.]
I was referred by my doctor, as they had a counselor who also practices hypnotherapy at the surgery, but a doctor may be able to refer you to an NHS hypnotherapist in your area. Otherwise you could search online for a private hypnotherapist in your area, but this could be costly (probably around £50 a session). There are various self-help books on self-hypnosis which could also be an option, or CD's with 'guided meditation / self-hypnosis', which could also help. Try searching for 'self hypnosis' on Amazon.