Growing up in an environment of domestic violence, she was also institutionalized as an adolescent by her parents who mistook her for a mental illness.
After that the body develops vegetative disorders.
It's hard to get even five hours of sleep a week.
This has been going on for many years, tried medication and exercise with poor results and alarmingly high dosages.
I am a current graduate student, female, feeling extreme pain and what exactly can I do to treat it?
Hello friend ~ I can totally relate to what you are going through right now. These traumatic events you've been through, and the resulting PTSD and severe sleep issues, do require intensive professional support to cope. 💖
First of all, the childhood domestic abuse and misdiagnosis you mention is extremely traumatic for anyone. This kind of trauma can leave a deep mark on the psyche, leading to long-term vegetative dysregulation and persistent sleep disturbances. Since these events occurred during a critical period of your development, they may have deeply affected your ability to manage and cope with your emotions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), specifically CBT-I for insomnia, can help improve the quality of your sleep by adjusting your habits of thought and behavioral patterns about sleep. Additionally, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which specializes in dealing with PTSD, reduces the trauma response by recalling traumatic memories and incorporating specific eye movements. Both of these therapies need to be done under the guidance of a professional psychotherapist and usually take a while to see results.
When it comes to medication, while you've tried multiple medications, finding the right combination often requires patience. Adjusting your medication regimen under the guidance of your doctor remains a critical step.
Self-care and lifestyle modifications should not be overlooked. Maintaining a regular routine, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, or yoga can help you unwind before bed. Although you say that exercise is not as effective, sticking to a moderate routine can still be beneficial for overall health and emotional stability.
Social support is equally important. Talk to a trusted friend, family member or classmate about how you are feeling; their understanding can be a great comfort. Attending a support group for PTSD or sleep disorders and talking to people who have been there can also provide additional psychological support.
The therapeutic process is one of constant experimentation and adjustment. If a certain approach doesn't work, don't give up so easily, talk to your therapist in a timely manner and explore new strategies. The fact that you are still in graduate school shows that you have great perseverance and motivation to pursue good things. You have shown great courage in facing such a difficult challenge.
I hope these suggestions help you to stick with it and find the right healing path for you. I wish you the best of luck in finding your inner strength and moving towards recovery. 🌱
