Situation · Yourself

“I can't sleep because my mind races”

What could be going on

Rumination and worry: Looping thoughts at bedtime fit; check whether they're worries or replays.

Generalised anxiety: Worry plus poor sleep most nights for months fits; check daytime tension.

Hyperarousal and hypoarousal: A body stuck in high activation fits; check whether you feel wired but tired.

Fast speech and little sleep: Little sleep without tiredness fits a high; check whether you feel tired.

Bipolar disorder and hypomania: If you don't feel tired and energy is high for days, check for hypomania.

Stress response and allostatic load: Stress keeps the body alert at night; check current load.

Questions to carry

  1. Last night, which thought kept coming back the most?
  2. Lying awake, what am I trying to sort out or prepare for?

Also said as

  • my thoughts won't stop at night
  • I lie awake for hours thinking
  • my husband can't sleep and is up all night
  • insomnia and racing thoughts
  • racing thoughts at bedtime
  • why can't I fall asleep

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