Insomnia
Why can't I switch my mind off at night?
You're exhausted. But the moment your head hits the pillow, your brain starts replaying conversations, planning tomorrow, or worrying about work, family, money, or everything at once. You toss and turn, watch the clock, try harder to sleep. And the harder you try, the further away it seems to get.
If that's familiar, you're not alone.
What is insomnia?
Insomnia is more than the odd bad night. It usually means trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early, or waking unrefreshed even after enough time in bed. For some people it comes and goes. For others it becomes an ongoing struggle that affects work, relationships, mood and health.
What are the signs?
• At night: lying awake unable to switch off, tossing and turning for hours, waking repeatedly, waking too early and not getting back to sleep
• In your head: racing thoughts, night-time anxiety, worry about whether you'll sleep at all
• During the day: exhaustion despite sleeping, brain fog, poor concentration, irritability or low mood
"I've got to sleep tonight." "What if I'm useless tomorrow?" "Why can't I just switch off?"
Why does trying to sleep make it worse?
Insomnia often becomes a loop. Less sleep means more worry about sleep. More pressure to sleep means more alertness. Bedtime itself starts to feel like a battle.
What causes it?
Sometimes one clear thing, such as a stressful event that settles in time. Often several things build quietly:
• Stress, overwhelm or constant overthinking
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Depression or low mood
• Grief, loss or relationship difficulties
• Work or money worries
• Health conditions, pain, hormonal changes or life transitions
• Shift work or disrupted routines
• Snoring or breathing difficulties during sleep
Should I see my doctor first?
It's worth it. Sleep problems can have physical causes, including sleep apnoea, thyroid or hormonal issues, pain, and some medications. If you snore heavily, wake gasping, or you've had poor sleep for more than a few weeks, please get it checked. I'm happy to work alongside your doctor.
How do I work with sleep problems?
If anxiety, stress or overthinking are part of what's keeping you awake, I help you understand what's driving it and gently change the patterns that keep your mind switched on at night. Many people find that as their nervous system settles, sleep has more room to improve, though I can't promise a particular result. I tailor the work to you. It might focus on:
• Racing thoughts at night
• Stress-related sleep problems
• Anxiety and panic that affect sleep
• Night-time worry and overthinking
Can I get help from home?
Yes. Sessions run online via FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp or Messenger, across Australia, New Zealand and internationally. All you need is a phone, tablet or computer, a reliable internet connection and somewhere private to talk.
What's the first step?
A free, no-obligation consultation where we talk through what's been happening and see whether working together feels right. Call 0409 254 500 or email me.
