60 Characteristics of Complex Trauma - Part 36 - Sleep Issues

[@TimFletcher]

💜 Please be aware of scammers impersonating Tim or the Tim Fletcher team! We do not provide any phone numbers in the comments and Tim does not chat privately with viewers. We will never ask you to join us on a messaging app. When in doubt, reach out to us via our website at timfletcher.ca. Stay safe and scam-aware. With Love, The Tim Fletcher Team.

[@cm9317]

This is timely for me. I've been suffering from horrible insomnia for months mostly because an abusive relationship I just got out of. The horror, sadness, & pain runs through my mind all night. Even in my dreams when I have them. I also have PTSD from my traumatic childhood so going through this awful relationship seems to have sent me over the edge mentally. I wish I could just stop feeling this way & thinking about it so I could get a good night sleep again.

[@elizabethborreson1085]

saying prayers for you, unfortunately, i understand.. YAH Bless You💜🙏🏽🤲🏽✨

[@bellesebastian012]

🙏🙏🏽🙏🏼

[@Ali76564]

Take walks is very good for trauma

[@vhondasorganizedchaos]

You described my sleep perfectly. Sleep 2 hrs. Wake up. Or sleep 4 hrs, wake up. It's so frustrating. Falling asleep was horrible until my PCP prescribed something. That helps a lot. I'm thankful I don't have to go to work exhausted anymore. I'm retired.

[@BallietBran]

What did your PCP prescribe you if you don't mind telling? My psychiatrist prescribed me Trazadone and Gabapentin a while back and it worked initially, but now, I wake up several times per night and sometimes takes forever to fall back asleep.

[@SMA57880]

@@BallietBran Raw honey is suppose to help create natural melatonin. I take a teaspoon of elderberry syrup ( an organic, high quality brand ) which has raw honey in it. I still wake up in the night, but what I find is it allows my body to go into a state of rest so I can go back to sleep. I relied on medicinals for about 5 years , but feared my memory would be wiped out if I were to continue, plus I could not recall my dreams.

[@arabellacox]

I'd give anything for a whole night's sleep. I wake up between 2 to 4 times every night. Sleep is crucial for my wellbeing as I have Bipolar Disorder. Funnily enough, I find when someone else is in the house (when I go to stay at my daughter's) I tend to sleep better. Childhood trauma left my system with high levels of cortisol, I was always on high alert as a child - listening out for my Dad beating on my disabled Mum. As the only child in the house (siblings had grown n left home) I felt very responsible for my Mum's safety, from as young as 5. It doesn't surprise me that this shit lasts 50 years and then some. I've been programmed this way.

[@venicer772]

I've had night terror for many years. When I can sleep I have VIVID dreams. I'm exhausted all the time.

[@lesliedefilippis2150]

@venicer772 I have that too. I seem to wake up everyday with a bad attitude or a being angry? I do not know what words to describe it correctly. I KNOW it's me. I am either angry when I first wake up. Or very sad. Due to VIVID nightmares. The nightmares I do have are about things that can happen in reality. They are not the nightmares that you can laugh at after a few hours because they are so are off the wall so to speak

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

4-7-8 breathing has really helped with getting and getting back to sleep. I've also switched off too many cups of decaf coffee and on to only one cup of camomille and peppermint tea after dinner. Only need to pee once at night now, and it's much later than before. I DO need to get to bed earlier. Thank you for another great video, Tim.

[@toliveischrist950]

I’ve started doing trauma release exercises recently before bed and it’s really helpful especially for falling asleep.

[@charlottetaylor4471]

Can you write them here please? 🙂

[@TheBrooklinHeights]

What did you do?

[@Lyrielonwind]

Listening to this at 5 am European time.

[@ServingTheRisenChrist]

Please research grounding/earthing. I sleep with a fitted grounding sheet. It has changed my life.

[@JudithAnn-to9lv]

Has it helped with trauma related sleep disturbances like the ones addressed in this video?

[@danae-rain3019]

I've been using one for a month . I haven't noticed any difference.

[@RavenStealstheNight]

I think for myself, I never get to deep sleep. I think I only sleep in 2 hours blocks. I scored 8/9 on the Ace test, depending on which test I've taken. Weirdly, I'm kinda awake on and off thru the night, but if allowed to lie in, I'll get my deepest, longest stretch of sleep until about 6:30-7 to 10 am

[@paulaboynton8299]

@@RavenStealstheNight which doesn’t help if you (I) have to set an alarm for 5am to be at work by 7. But, I agree with you, that is my sleep pattern too.

[@rainicascadia5514]

@Raven Me too! Sleep is best with dreams after 5 am after trying to sleep since 10:30 pm..

[@MissiJade]

@@rainicascadia5514 me too, I can sleep but for an hour and a half early in the morning. Actually it’s around the same time that you mentioned Raven but it’s so broken still unless I fall asleep and then sleep walk. I could have been doing it for days and I would be none the wiser. I can’t work anymore which is a shame because I couldn’t function at a corporate job which in hindsight was a blessing. I am on disability now and I paint, when I can. But again the fear of sharing any of my artwork is so paralysing so my crappy little rental now resembles an art studio but one that is all over the place and I have no energy or concentration to do what I see others do with what looks like so much ease on Instagram. I take my hat off to everyone who is holding down a full time job and surviving with severe sleep deprivation. I did it for many years but even DJ’ing back in the day was hindered by my inability to sleep. So moving into corporate I felt like I could mould into the background a bit more but that did t last. Then there is the whole subject of sleep paralysis. Another hardcore horror movie but it feels more real than when I wake up.

[@jen-ov2bi]

@@RavenStealstheNight me too…

[@dougcoleman8972]

@@paulaboynton8299 same

[@alexandrugheorghe5610]

I like the new camera & lighting, Tim. 👍🏻 Also, me watching this after a few hours of night sleep due to stomach pain and gallbladder stones. Both exacerbated by stress due to my C-PTSD. And, of course, all the nightmares I get once in a while. 😵‍💫😕😔 Happy holidays all! 👍🏻

[@heatherpage1445]

I wanted to thank you, Mr. Tim Fletcher. Your video's are helping me understand myself. And then put in work to be a better person than I was. I wanted to tell you that your video's and my working on myself has resulted in a thing I haven't been able to do in YEARS; I experienced happiness and content with my life. And the kicker, I didn't feel guilty about it! I haven't had genuine happiness in so long. So thank you. ❤

[@bernadette2722]

I have to have my air-conditioner on all night otherwise I can’t sleep. The cool air helps me sleep especially in summertime. also, you shouldn’t drink any coffee after 3 o’clock in the afternoon stay away from caffeine if you can.

[@eelexa]

Fans and air conditioners help so much

[@doriangrey9702]

I can't sleep until 4 am or daylight. My ex used to keep me up until 4 am daily when I had to go to work in the morning. Its been going on for years even after I got rid of him with a restraining order after he physically assaulted me. I hate it. Id rather go to sleep at 11 instead of wasting an additional 5 hours till exhaustion finally sets in.

[@Faith_Chi]

Happy Christmas Tim & Family.

[@eelexa]

It's worth mentioning too that women need 8-10 hours of sleep, while men need 6-8. So many of us are women getting less than 8 hours of sleep, and I can only imagine that doesn't help us at all.

[@aciddiver1978]

I went years and years with severe physical pain, with no apparent reason. Now after i got contact with a trauma psycholog, it is apparent that i have compex ptsd and it is the reason of all the pain, sleep issues etc.

[@lisarenshaw1554]

I am 66. I've had insomnia since I was 4. I've been taking antihistamine since I was a child. I have given up hope of ever sleeping without medication. 😢

[@ivana3526]

dear lisa, I can feel that,, wow,, what a strength

[@karidawn4447]

@@lisarenshaw1554 i am on a ashwaganda valerian root with melatonin routine and assume its the way it is. I learned to fucntion on 4 to 6 hours of zzz. I am grateful for that much. I lived on 3 hours of zzz for years.

[@susanmercurio1060]

The sleep study clinic that I went to said that insomnia can be genetic.

[@karidawn4447]

@@susanmercurio1060 its true. My mom has it, and so did my grandmother.

[@Vanessa-mo9ix]

How does the anti-histamine help you?

[@MissiJade]

I thought no decent amounts of sleep was normal until I started doing research. 9/10 ACES but no one ever discussed my sleep as being such a major factor to mine and many people’s level of functioning. I have come to understand that my sleep issues are generally going to be life long but do my best to manage them. Does anyone else have a challenge with having a sleep study done due to fear of being kept in a probably very safe space but are so afraid to go to sleep at home?

[@reluctantphoenix]

@@MissiJade totally get this. I want to get a sleep study, but I know it would be a waste of money. I can barely sleep at home with ear plugs and a mask - how am I supposed to sleep in a strange room hooked up to stuff?

[@MissiJade]

@ I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this. I completely relate-I’m absolutely petrified of going to sleep every night. I live in a country where most of the cost for a sleep study is covered, but good luck getting me inside the building! Do you feel the same? The person in my profile pic is my soulmate, the love of my life. He passed away in tragic circumstances in my presence five years ago, and since then, I haven’t stopped moving. I never sit still, and I know I have severe burnout-I haven’t slept longer than an hour here and there in five years. I have no family left, and those I did have abandoned me when I was 15. If I don’t keep going, who will? I have cancer and just had two major head surgeries, but I still can’t sleep or stop pacing. The medical professionals in Australia are so trauma-ill-informed that in three years of dealing with this cancer, no one has addressed the psychological impact on my already diagnosed CPTSD from severe childhood trauma. I can’t even begin to process my childhood yet. I wasn’t with my partner long, but in those three years, I did sleep a little better. Still, I can’t remember the last time I had a full night’s sleep. Sometimes I sleepwalk and wake up in strange places. I don’t drink or do drugs and have been sober for years, so I’m confused about where to even start.

[@reluctantphoenix]

@@MissiJade I'm so sorry for your loss, the CPTSD, and the medical diagnoses. That's a lot to go through and a huge burden - it's no wonder your sleep is so poor. It doesn't help that the medical establishment and even well-meaning friends often have no true understanding of this problem. I have had horrible insomnia since childhood, due mainly to trauma and a high-strung temperament. Everything Tim says in this video echoes thoughts I have had for a long time concerning the importance of good sleep, and it's great to hear a therapist talk about this topic in depth. I can really tell the difference on my mental state when I get at least 6 hours of decent sleep - no panic attacks, migraines, etc. I hope you can find some relief. I developed chronic hives awhile ago - I read a study that indicates 25% of PTSD sufferers develop chronic hives due to imbalances in histamine. I started taking Zyrtec, which helps me sleep, along with melatonin. It's not a perfect solution - I still have sleepless nights - but it seems to help, along with having creative outlets such as writing and collaging. I hope you find some relief soon.

[@miateacher123]

Fantastic! Thank you so much.

[@djbriggs813]

These videos describe me in many ways. I've had trouble falling asleep since I was 10 years old. It was caused by cptsd. In adulthood, I developed obesity and depression. My therapist refers to cptsd as small t trauma. EMDR therapy has been huge for me. I have also learned when to go to bed so I can go right to sleep. The problem is, I only get 5 to 6 hours of sleep a night.

[@JHixon-bi8ok]

What about adults with adverse/traumatic experiences as adults, not in childhood?

[@Ali76564]

Sleeping without a pillow is excellent totally flat body resting properly the brain has good posture

[@danae-rain3019]

I used to love doing that and then I had a chiropractor scold me and tell me I needed to use a pillow. I can never find a pillow I like.

[@stefanierasch5582]

Listening to this at 2h30 am after about 3 hours of sleep and waking up after a horrible nightmare...

[@susannluckmann7705]

Hi Stefanie, I hope you were able to go back to sleep after Tim's video. Take care, get well soon and God bless you.

[@teresapotts3476]

I speak peace to you, in Jesus's name

[@llh4954]

I’m sorry. I can relate.

[@Ali76564]

It's going to get better, God cares

[@nevadatan7323]

I got my own regime going - polyphasic sleep of 45min-hour bursts coupled with sleep paralysis demons and the benadryl hat man keeping me company 🙃😫

[@pallaviwankhede8380]

@@nevadatan7323 I overcome this issue with Praying to Jesus, I was even so afraid to sleep, cause when I close my eyes, I saw these entities, I had terrible nightmare and sleep paralysis, one night I had this attack, unable to move, I felt there is some shadow in my bedroom, I was extremely fearful couldn't open my mouth, jaw was completely stiff, but somehow i managed to say Jesus, and that shadow ran away, till date no nightmare, Glory to God, now every night before sleeping I pray and put holy water in my house, Jesus has delivered me from this issue, I am not longer afraid at night, I stay alone and i sleep all alone in the presence of God.

[@MizpahMoo]

Hello. From uk at 230am yes make again ! I wake up loads over the night ! It’s horrid! I’m always so tired !

[@Shannon_F8]

I really appreciate the helpful tips! Thanks.

[@jessicapbarajas24]

Thank you for this video. Mr. Fletcher, Do you offer mentoring or one on one session discussing more on CTPSD? Just curious

[@blackbeardgoatjr2434]

A good gym/yoga and sauna routine, herbal tea at night is what works for me

[@SummerIrvin]

Before i moved out of the house, i was so uncomfortable with my family that i couldn't dream at night. Then i had my first dream in months during my first night away from them. I still can only sleep between 5 and 6 hours at a time though.

[@ogungel2009]

i wake up around 3 oclock, no matter which time i go to bed, unless i smoke weed

[@Dobermanmomma]

When I pray in the spirit of the Lord in the name of Jesus until I fall asleep, just praise Jesus continuously, I sleep so good.

[@fancyfeast6779]

Absolutely. Down load the Hallow: prayer and meditation app. It’s amazing. I pray until profound sleep comes over me. I feel renewed by the Lord the next day. Your faith is your peace, you mustn’t forget that. Put your trust in him.

[@Gin8Gin7]

@@Dobermanmomma your doggo is precious. Also, same same same.

[@susanmercurio1060]

Good for you but your religion is your own choice.

[@xooq_]

So how do you heal this?

[@patriciasimons1873]

For all of the menopausal women listening to this video, part of the reason you’re not sleeping is you have low progesterone. Something else to consider why you’re not sleeping.

[@susanmercurio1060]

Yes, my sleep changed when I went into menopause, and I was told that insomnia can be genetic. My grandmother would be up in the middle of the night and she was old enough for menopause.

[@janethomas78]

will I ever feel better?

[@tnt4648]

Listening to this at 5:41 am ☹️

[@2010lrain]

I wake up every night at 3am. Its debilitating. Im exhausted in the day, end up napping for half hour then get four hours if im lucky 😢

[@Ruby-wise]

Hyper vigilance has become my night mode.

[@nellynelly8203]

Im 54 and I still can't sleep facing the wall

[@rickp.6251]

Listening 🎧 to this while working 3rd shift. So this is Day.

[@sarahb.6475]

What do you mean to sleep in a cool room?? How am I supposed to sleep if I am SHIVERING and literally FREEZING??? Because that is what cool temperatures do to me. I start shivering. And generally it takes me at least an hour to fall asleep. That 15 minutes you said is some fantasy story. Then I sleep for like 1 or 2 hours and wake up..and I wake up constantly during the night. That is normal.. Wake up to roll over on other side. Or my neighbor in the next apartment over is talking / screaming at 2 am on her phone.. And although I am as far away from her as I can get her voice booms way over here. Night seem to be her daytime. And she plays her TV all night which makes it impossible to sleep in the bedroom.. Yes I have noise sensitivity. And smell sensitivy. My mother had the noise sensitivity too.. Plus I have a buncb if IgE food allergies. To common stuff like wheat + corn. Which is in everything. I react to cooking fumes from other people. I only get paradoxical reactions to stuff. Stuff that is supposed to make me sleep make me wide awake like a hoot owl!

[@Ali76564]

We are ment to sleep at 16 degrees

[@danae-rain3019]

The room should be cool but you can have warm blankets on you. It definitely helps. And you need noise canceling headphones for your inconsiderate neighbor.

[@susanmercurio1060]

You can bundle up so that you are breathing cool air but your body is warm. Lots of blankets or snuggly pajamas. Or both

[@jeankipper6954]

ACE score is 7. And I have sleep apnea, treated with a bipap. Without it, I wake 45 times per hour, with it, goes to 20 times per hour. I'm curious about the alertness of the hippocampus,, how that interact?

[@Touay.]

what does 'vivid dreaming' mean? i dream in all the sleep cycles.

[@marshallrobinson1019]

My wife left me. So, whenever I wake up screaming it's really my neighbor's problem.

[@editaf9934]

Merci !

[@laurac5596]

I always sleep 3 or 4 hrs stay awake for 2 or 3 hours and then go back to sleep in the early morning hours. Then i have to get up with the baby 😅

[@oeeszett]

Hahaha, not funny.

[@aciddiver1978]

Alkohol shouldnt be consumed anyway, especially when struggling with this.

[@susanmercurio1060]

I have 6-7 ACEs!

[@laurar8486]

😭😭😭

[@Ali76564]

Protect our brain s

[@northstar5919]

💜

[@cafebacon8974]

😭

[@Michael-iw3ek]

So, spending $10 on a superchat message doesn't even get me acknowledged. What's the point of having a live stream if you are going to ignore the chat?

[@nevadatan7323]

Consider it a donation 😇

[@princessmorningstar7666]

@@Michael-iw3ek doing a live on KZbin is a little bit tricky if you’re not used to doing it and I’m sure he just did not see it. This man seems to have endless empathy for others and seems to make it his mission to help those whom have been deeply hurt and affected by trauma. I’m sure he just didn’t see your super chat. 😊

[@Michael-iw3ek]

@@princessmorningstar7666 Sure. It's not possible not to see a superchat.

[@Michael-iw3ek]

@@nevadatan7323 I did. I wasted a lot more on psychologists.

[@princessmorningstar7666]

@@Michael-iw3ek All I’m saying is that I’m sure it was not intentional… I’m sorry this happened to you.

[@IAm-rw7gz]

Wondering about the Ongoing Holocaust in Palestine will affect them without REPARATIONS

[@susanmercurio1060]

How about a cease fire first and we can figure out the reparations later?

[@IAm-rw7gz]

@susanmercurio1060 Eight Decades of Never Ending Traumas. Cease fier ?