Talking Insomnia #80: From jerks and catastrophizing to understanding and peace with Jenn.

[@BradRadmusic]

Very helpful video. Thank you very much for sharing your story.

[@daveclarke100]

2 mins in and I can totally relate to this. Hypnic Jerks are the worst, especially when you don't know what they are or why you keep having them! I feel like a memo needs to be send to every doctor/sleep specialist about them. If it wasn't for the info on this channel I dread to think what state I would be in now!

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

So so glad it resonated and for the super kind words 😊

[@jasonneysha]

I have experienced so much of the same, but it has taken me a long time to get to the right kind of teaching. Thank you.

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

Jason, thanks so much for sharing this and I’m glad you’re here. You’re very welcome.

[@shorfan]

Thanks for this. Needed this right now

[@desimemes9351]

How r u now? Plz rply

[@gibememoni]

It is simply anxiety. Your mind thinks there is a threat near by and you cannot afford to be asleep at the moment so it wakes you up.

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

This is all.

[@innervarium]

BS, that's your imagination. You don't have this illness

[@lewisbezzina1386]

Thank you for posting this video. Out of all the youtube videos this is the one that helped me make sense of it all and has left me feeling much more relaxed about it as much of it resonated with me.

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

So so glad to read these lines 😊 thanks for sharing!!

[@user-vj8ll7ch2h]

Drew from The Anxious Truth puts out incredible and frequent content. I can say that his channel and this channel have been equally important in my journey, and they’re the only two online sources I really trust at this point. Very similar philosophies with different focuses.

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

Anon, so so glad you’ve found value here and from The Anxious Truth. I just took a look at Drew’s IG, and wow there was this incredible post about how anxiety = I’m scared, panic disorder = I’m scared of being scared and anticipatory anxiety is I’m scared of becoming scared of becoming scared. Yup, it’s the same message for sure. I’ll invite him as a guest! Thanks for sharing this 🙂

[@MESteve85]

After a few months of educating myself on this, I finally pieced a lot of it together. I had to have sleepless nights and not react to them the way I had been. What was happening the past 3.5 years was that I was still trying to control sleep by protecting the 4 hrs I was consistently getting. When I began the sleep courses and the new way of understanding insomnia, I was using my new found education solely as means to replace all other sleep efforts entirely, but still wasn't confronting wakefulness. So my sleep has been yo-yoing from relatively normal to sleepless nights, currently. I've think I've given up most sleep efforts but occasionally catch myself trying to repeat a behavior from a night I slept. I feel like if I stick with the confronting of wakefulness, it'll level out. It's unpleasant, but the "short-term" solutions became long-term (3.5 years) very quickly. (Oh! And I mentioned Claire Weekes in another video. She is why I no longer have panic attacks!)

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

Stephen, I’m so glad to read this. I have nothing to add really but to say that I think this is just pure insight. Which comes from that willingness to look inside, well done 😊

[@michelleweil6672]

Hi Stephen, great to hear from you! Absolutely, it's all about how we are responding to our sleepless nights. I love Claire Weekes too!

[@MESteve85]

@@thesleepcoachschool8192 Thanks Daniel! You and other acceptance-based practices have really helped. I had so much ego-resistance and defensiveness, that I wasn't quite ready yet to hear it and internalize it. I may not be fully there yet, but that's fine. It's all opportunity from hear on out. Be well.

[@MESteve85]

@@michelleweil6672 Thanks Michelle! Be well!

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

So nice to read this Stephen, anytime, thanks for being here 😊

[@vitalynewman1315]

thank you

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

You’re so welcome 🙂

[@ApostateofHELL]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have commented before on another video a number of months previous & this video of Jenn's experiences are infinite percentage aligned to my own these past five plus months. I finally, recently succeeded in obtaining a few weeks of restorative sleep without any great hypnic awareness or jerks, but last week thereabouts it all started again & feel i've gone SO far backwards. But this video has definitely helped me once again & will continue to try keep "applying the method" of the tolerance & acceptance of this horrible condition. Thank you again.

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

So so glad it’s helped and you’re so welcome. Maybe check the speed bump playlist, it can help

[@Bracelet_world-b3d]

Thank you so much for this!! I love also really looking at the anxiety piece not just insomnia. I have also been reading Claire weekes and the part that helped me. I feel like with anxiety we want a quick fix fast and just floating through is important

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

So glad to read that this was helpful :-)

[@michelleweil6672]

So true - we all want a quick fix and unfortunately it doesn't exist. It's all about facing our anxiety and fears, which is a process. It helps to "float" through!

[@tuttutboy2637]

I think everyone has hypnic jerks. When I watch my kids and my husband sleeping they all have them. They don’t know about them or don’t remember. When I get them they don’t bother me anymore. I befriended them. They are a good sign that I am falling asleep and everything is working fine.

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

100% I’ve made exactly this same observation. Thanks much for sharing and I’m so glad to read they don’t bother you now!

[@jackmcbride791]

You watch your kids sleep💀

[@StarsDie88]

I remember always having them. But it's only when my anxiety is high that they end up making my heart race after experiencing them.

[@GalaxyMagician]

@@StarsDie88is that normal? Having similar issue for a month now

[@arianabliss9043]

How did you treat the anxiety? As I’ve had these jerks nightly for months and keen to hear how you treated it in terms of exercises or activities outside of podcasts?

[@ritikaray928]

Hi Daniel and Michelle, I have been experiencing bouts of insomnia for last 1 month.I have had these rough patches earlier on but I could always come out of it after couple of weeks struggle.What I experienced last night is hyper awareness while falling asleep.I woke up with a jolt with palpitations and hot flashes multiple times.I struggled for hours by tossing and turning, changing rooms.Then I decided to settle down by deliberately not reacting.I allowed the awareness to come,followed by hyperarousal.I gradually managed 3-4 hours sleep.I have been dreading the entire day about tonight.Is this the right approach to quietly notice it happening without reacting.Will this require frequent exposure to get away this fear of hyper awareness. Please help.I am pregnant which is making my emotions worse.

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

Hi Ritika, You know, I think this playlist really will help: kzbin.info/aero/PL6RQ1GS7B1ci1B__oGwLvLaJ9Da1lmIKs Nothing is required for peaceful sleep, but sometimes we need to learn a bit for this to make sense. Also, there are so many great success stories from moms here, Kristen, Veronika, Sara… check them in the success stories playlist. Hang in there and let us know how things are going.

[@legacytrainer4242]

That happened to me . Jerks are the worst.

[@BradSimeneta]

it’s caused by too much serotonin in the brain , usually from meds , and you probably have the MAOA genetic defect where you don’t degrade serotonin like most. It’s like a mild serotonin syndrome. The MS probably set it off especially since it started when you had a lapse in your meds. I read calcium helps.

[@chandansingh8041]

I experience the exact same symptom and have been taking clonotril 0.5 mg to sleep well, add some managanese pill and you can sleep deeper but may end up snoring. That takes care of the night but for the day if you sitting on the couch and just tend to fall asleep it still triggers...😢

[@Toilettenpapier11]

Hey there, please know that you are not alone with what you are feeling. I have the same issue, personally got no medication for it, but I realised that when I stopped caring about the hypnic jerks, I fell asleep a lot faster afterwards compared to a while ago where I would be kept up until 4 am. It is easier said than done but don't stress yourself out too much, take it easy and I hope you will sleep well again soon. :)

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

Hang in there and do check our playlist on Hypnic jerks, it’s in the description of any new video

[@catsnguitars]

Which Claire Weekes book do you recommend? Thank you!

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

Hi! I’ve actually only read Hope and help for your nerves, but I can recommend it!

[@ScottJ_Moses]

Amazing book. Changed my life.

[@amanialgh4014]

السلام عليكم ، انا من السعودية وأعاني من نفس المشكلة منذ حوالي شهر ونصف ، مررت بتجربة صحية صعبة وترددت على كثير من الاطباء كل طبيب كان يتوقع وجود مرض معين في جسمي خضعت لكثير من الفحوصات والاشعة المقطعية وتعرضت لخوف شديد من الامراض المتوقعة والتي لم نجد اي شي منها ولله الحمد ، كان لدي حالة خفقان في القلب وكانت هي السبب في هذه الرحلة الطويلة ، في اثناء هذه الرحلة الشاقة بدأت أعاني من صعوبة النوم ، كل مابدأت في الغفوة ينتفض جزء من جسمي مرة يدي مرة رجلي او بطني او رقبتي ، واصاب بالقلق والخوف اكثر ، ضليت ليال كثيرة بلا نوم ، انام بعد التعب الشديد ، احاول ان اخفف من قلقي تجاهها ، بدأت الآن تتحسن نوعا ما ، لكن لم تنتهي نهائيا ، ماذا افعل تجاهها ؟؟ هل اجد لديك نصيحة مناسبة لحالتي ؟؟ وهل هذه الحالة هي مايطلقون عليها حركة الاطراف الدورية كما يسميها دكتور بيرج ؟؟ اعذرني على الكتابة بالعربية 🥰

[@YasserMag6]

السلام عليكم أماني الحمد لله فحسب فهمي لحالتك فقد قمتي بالجهد الكافي للتخلص من المشكل و يتبقى لكي القليل, هذا القليل هو الأهم و يجب أن تتعلمي فيه أن لا تقومي بأي شيء حيال ذلك ! نعم كما قرأتي يجب أن تتقبلي هذه الرياكشنز بجسدك و أنها موجودة معك (لفترة) و أنها ليست هي ما يبقيك بدون نوم ... بل خوفك منها و الanxiety التي تربت فيك خلال أيام جهلك للسبب و القلق المفرط حيالها هو ما يجعلك تفكرين في كونها مشكل و لهذا تبقى معك لازم تقتنعي أن المشكل ليس مشكل نوم بل نومك عادي و لم يمسسه ضرر, المشكل هو مشكل قلق مفرط الشيء الذي يجعل هذه الحركات تزداد كلما تخافين منها = و الخوف أصله أنك تفكرين فيها على أساس أنها مشكلة = و هذا التفكير منبعه الرفض ! بمجرد ما تتقبلينها و تصلين لمرحلة : لا يهم إذا حدثت أم لا, فأنا مشكلتي ليست مشكلة نوم بل فقط قلقي الزائد يخرج بهذه الطريقة. (ستصلين لها بالتمرين و التأمل شاهدي فيديوهات Doctor Hazel Claire Weekes و Abraham Hiks ) عندها ستبدأ بالاختفاء تدريجياً

[@Learnenglishwithjessy]

Salam alikom . Have you solved the issue ?

[@innervarium]

I have some insights. Mine is not caused by anxiety. I was having the best time of my life. I was on a long vacation in a foregn land. Enjoying new places, food, and people. No major care in the world. Biggest stress was just ordering food when the server can't speak very good english. I WISH I could go back to those days now! Mine started about 10 days after anti-biotics. I think gut health is directly connected. It takes a long time to rebuild your gut bacteria. I noticed when I eat a strict all natural mediterranean diet with NO unnatural meat especially. I get past them easier or none at all. Also walking in grass bear foot before bed. Acupuncture really helps, or acupressure. Trying not to get super angry or cry for too long. Sleep herbs help too. Avoid catatonic herbs at night. Take magnesium glyconate. I know for me it's much more than stress. I have experienced allot of stress in my life with none of this jerking. It all started with the anti-biotics. The sleep meds made things worse. I hope this helps.

[@tidurmele]

how many times you search about this in a day ? do you watch video on youtube like a person take cipro and get hypnic jerk ? if yes I used to be that. I joined hypnic jerk group and watch videos on youtube and it just makes my hypnic jerk worse. After I out from the group and believe that hypnic jerk is part of anxiety today with the power of God I can sleep well, nap and night. you may watch Fearless Sleep channel, she took antibiotic like cipro also and she can sleep well now

[@lahall4942]

Do u still have jerks.. mine started after antibiotics also..what did u do? How long did it take

[@innervarium]

@@lahall4942 Well I did allot of stupid things making my life allot worse. But focusing on the positive. After 2 months, things were so much better. I would get the at first few could fall sleep and once I slept, I would sleep in. But if I ate anything bad, I may be up all night. No weed, coffee, grains, sugar, seed oils, meat at night and all organic if possible. Try not to take any Pharma drugs for sleep, especially zquil or any other unless you have to as they kill the good bacteria. Valarian really helped me. Take Magnesium Glycenate, probiotics, probiotic implants by opening a capsule into filtered water and squirting it up your bum and holding it until absorbed. Avoid colon cleansing. Avoid stress. Don't scream and rage, that just brings them on. In time, I can't say how much, they should subside to not a concern. Maybe 100% I wish I could start over. I took a drug called Ivermectin and now my life is ruined. It gave me body twitches. It's been 6 months and no healing or hope in site. I live without peace or hope and Ive tried everything. So be careful what you put in your body. You could lose it all with one swallow. Good luck to you

[@Learnenglishwithjessy]

How did u address ur anxiety? Did u take medication?

[@Ellael98]

Thank you so much. One of my biggest fear is to look tired and old really soon, although I am just 23 years old. I am trying to accept every look I will have, but for some reason I am so afraid of it. That keeps me awake for nights and weeks. Can you please tell me how to approach this problem? I am so stuck 😔 best regards

[@user-vj8ll7ch2h]

I don’t really have advice for this that the hosts haven’t covered, but I can say that I’ve had trouble sleeping since I was a baby and had decades of pretty bad insomnia and people regularly think I’m 10-15 years younger than I am - Im almost 40 and most people think Im under 30. I don’t know if sleep has that big of an effect with aging.

[@thesleepcoachschool8192]

Hi Ella, Sorry for missing this comment! I do think for example if you look at the talking insomnia episode with Betul, you’ll see that nobody could ever tell she had so much struggles with sleep.. and knowing what Anon said here can help so much.

[@Ellael98]

@@thesleepcoachschool8192 thanks so much for replying, I’ll check out the session you mentioned. You’re amazing :)

[@SallyBrennan-vz6cv]

@michelleweil6672 I’d really love to speak to Jenn as I think I have the same issues as she did in trying to get to sleep. Do you think there is any way I could speak to her? Thank you so much