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Teenagers
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Insomnia Although CFS sufferers are extremely fatigued throughout the day, they have trouble falling asleep at night, which is called insomnia. Being sleepy and being tired are two very different things. Here are
some things that I do when I can't sleep: Posted on the Pediatric Network Dream Boxes Sweet Dreams. Or not. I hate those long, dark nights when I am unable to fall asleep. It's easier than ever to feel sad, scared, alone and overwhelmed when you lay there staring at the ceiling with wide-open eyes. Each minute that my clock loudly ticks off is another without sleep. Each noise in the night is magnified. Each thing that I am not doing comes to haunt me. I become convinced that every single person on the planet is snoring somewhere. except me. I feel alone and isolated. I'm exhausted but the sandman seems to have forgotten me. I sigh. Punch my pillow. Roll over. Yawn. Count the cracks on the ceiling in the moonlight. Roll over. Sigh. Many of you know what I am talking about because you have experienced a lonely sleepless night. or two. or a hundred. The next time that you are plagued with insomnia, you can think of me and I'll think of you, and we'll know that someone else is awake thinking of us. However, if this fails to comfort you, occupy your mind and lull you to sleep, you'll have to find something else to do. There are many things that can be done when insomnia strikes, but often, as we lie there in the dark, we are unable to think of them. That's where the "Coping Corner" comes in handy. Keep me by your bed or hang me on the ceiling (careful, I'm afraid of heights!) and when the sandman fails to show up some night you'll know just what to do! Here's an idea: Find yourself an empty box. Decorate the outside of the box however you wish. Maybe some old wrapping paper, some stickers, a few sparkles, some stars, pictures cut from a magazine - use your imagination. This is your Dream Box. A Dream Box is an activity box that you fill with things to do when you are awake and alone at night. You can keep it by your bed and it will keep you busy until you fall asleep. On the inside cover of my Dream Box you'll find a picture of my friends and a few words, phrases and poems that make me smile. The first things that go into my Dream Box are some magazines. Magazines are better for your Dream Box than books because they often require less concentration to read. (Before I go any further, please note that you will not want to put anything too engrossing into the box or you may be awake until the sun rises.) I'm putting in my walkman and some tapes that I made with my favorite songs on them. Next to go in are my Potato Head people. I've heard that these are preschool toys, but they are a fun activity when you're lying down in bed. I have a whole Potato Head family and I am 18 years old. I'm not ashamed to admit it. Just don't spread this around. Here are a few more thoughts on what to put in there: * Legos-Legos are
one of the best Dream Box fillers. They are easy lap toys and are fun
for everyone. There are many varieties. I prefer the town Legos or island
Legos, but you may be more of a spaceman or a jungle girl. Any kind is
perfectly acceptable. When sleep cannot be found in the late night hours,
you can curl up with your Legos and build a dream castle, design a magical
planet, or a cozy village. From Youth Allied By CFIDS, Spring 1997 Inside my Dream Box you'll discover several pads of paper along with pens, pencils, markers and even crayons. The times when I am awake with insomnia are the times when I do some of my best thinking. It helps me to have paper and a pen handy to record these rare and momentous bursts of thought. When I can't sleep, the house is at its most quiet (if I ignore my family's snoring) and the silence can bring a number of feelings to the surface for me. Sometimes I am lonely and afraid - as I ponder the future and things that go bump in the night. Sometimes I am sad. Sometimes angry. It helps me to write these feelings down or to draw a picture. It often makes me feel more in control, because when I write my feelings out I am able to better understand them and what I can do to help myself. Just getting them down on paper can get them out of my system and ease my mind a bit. Sometimes I feel creative and I write stories or poems and draw pictures. Sometimes I'll write letters to friends because that makes me feel less alone. I often write "The Coping Corner" while I'm lying awake at strange hours of the night! (I know, this explains a LOT!) As I lie in the dark, hovering between being awake and asleep, with my mind just beginning to relax, I sometimes think of things that I have struggled all day to recall - a phone number or the name of a book that I wanted to get at the library. Having a pen and piece of paper right by my bed keeps me from having to scramble and risk forgetting it all. Marty Ratigan, a PWC from California, agrees with these Dream Box fillers. She says, "I really think that one day scientists will 'reveal' that doodling sends our brains down the path that leads to sleep or at least relaxation." And we could all use that! That's all for this time! Have a wonderful May 12th and make a difference in your life this spring by promoting awareness. Not only will it help every PWC, it will also make you feel good to be doing something to change the world. Pillow Pals--
(From The Coping Corner, Winter 1997) It only takes a little bit of time and energy to rearrange your posters and it can give your room a whole new look. Why not have your friends and family members help you in redecorating by making drawings and personal, original posters for your walls? This will not only give your bedroom a new look but their pictures and words can brighten up a dark day. I like to rearrange my furniture once or twice a year. When my bed is in a new location (not in another house… just a different spot in my room), it gives me a whole new perspective on my habitat. Get creative and make some simple changes when you're feeling blue and cooped up. You may be surprised what the new look can do for you! Back to top
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