I struggled with severe insomnia from age 15 onward, though I've always had a certain neurosis when it comes to sleep. At 16, the insomnia was so severe that I saw a doctor and was prescribed Ambien. It worked perfectly for a year before my mother decided I was addicted (which I was not) and took me off the stuff.
After that point, I took a lot of Unisom and Sominex (over the counter sleep aids) with varying success. However, it was not until I began to deal with the underlying psychological issues that I began to truly conquer my sleep difficulties.
At this point in my life, 10 years after first going on sleep meds, I take a Benadryl or 2 before bed. Benadryl's active ingredient is diphenhydramine, the same chemical used in over the counter sleep meds. It is usually sufficient, but when I have worse trouble getting to sleep, I like to play a little game where I pick the lightest spot in the room, focus on it, and try to see how long I can look at it without closing my eyes. Invariably, the longer I focus on it and try to keep my eyes open, they end up shutting, and sleep ensues. Don't know why it works, but it does.
SD
