Ok, I know this sounds a lot less of a problem than alot of growth spurts. But here's the thing - my new (sort of a repeat from before) problem is not being able to sleep at night. But while I used to have trouble going to sleep because I was worrying about stuff - now I have trouble going to sleep because I'm just thinking 90 miles a minute. Last night it was about decorating the house, and some cabinetry I want to have done. How stupid is this?! It's not a problem; I'm not under a deadline of any kind. But it took me 2 hours to go to sleep (and yes, I was tired). I kept trying to do the deep breathing and relaxation and so forth, but then a new idea would pop into my head and off I'd go again.

Any ideas? It's not the thoughts so much that are the problem (in that they're not scary or upsetting) as the effect - lack of sleep. And lack of sleep does make me much more vulnerable to the depression and anxiety and anger returning. I'm so frustrated!! Just when I think I'm getting alot better, here I go again!

Dear Val

You ARE getting better!!! Don't lose sight of that!

It sounds like you are excited about your projects. A couple of things work for me in similar situations (you and I are high energy, excitable people-not such a bad thing ?) I listen to my relaxation tape and sometimes need to add my ocean sounds tape-do my 2-4 breathing for perhaps 5 minutes...if that doesn't do the trick I get out of bed go to my computer and list my ideas for the project...that take Far LESS time than trying to fight my brain into the sleep mode. I also find that when I do that I don't have to keep going over and over my ideas. Once they are on "paper" they seem to be at rest.

Let us know how this works for you. Carolyn