yeah and its a long read....wut 
Insomnia? What causes it?
Few things can affect one's perception and performance as much as lack of sleep. Although most people are unaware when they're suffering from minor sleep deprivation, it can still have a marked effect on their behavior and motor skills. Insomnia, therefore, can wreak havoc on a person's life.
If you feel you're suffering from insomnia, it's important to know the basics. Insomnia is a sleep disorder, and is characterized by the inability to fall or stay asleep for a significant amount of time. Although patients’ reports of sleeping trouble seem to suggest a familial connection, any genetic link carrying the disorder has yet to be found.
Note: There is a difference between having trouble sleeping or poor sleep quality and clinical insomnia. This article deals with the latter, taking into account medical causes and remedies.
Emotional disorders
Emotional disorders can have very powerful effects on a sufferer’s life if left untreated. Through chemical alterations in the body, these disorders have the ability to change one’s perception, coping skills and ability to sleep. As such, they can be a major cause of insomnia. A large majority of those who report persistent insomnia also suffer from psychological issues like depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety. This may be because of the high levels of cortisol -- a stress hormone -- that are frequently caused by these psychological disorders, and are often found in those suffering from chronic insomnia.
Medical conditions
Medical conditions that affect breathing, motor control or brain activity levels may also be responsible for persistent insomnia. Conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, or heart disease could play a big role in one’s inability to sleep. This is likely due to the physical discomfort that's caused, which ultimately affects one’s ability to relax and fall asleep.
Medications
Medications that contain stimulants could be the cause of insomnia. Antidepressants are specifically noted as a possible cause because of their chemical makeup. Similarly, although likely on a lesser scale, other “uppers” like caffeine can have a huge effect on your insomnia. Try avoiding coffee after a set time in the day -- like lunch time or your late-afternoon break.
Overindulgence
Substance abuse has too many side effects to account for. Insomnia is likely one of the least serious but most noticeable side effects. Although controlled amounts of alcohol should have no effect on one’s ability to sleep, chronic, excessive or late-evening alcohol consumption can break up sleep patterns shortly after putting you to sleep. It can also cause other sleep-disturbing problems like sleep apnea (disturbance of breathing) or restless legs syndrome. Cocaine and some sedatives can also cause similar sleep disturbances.
Behavioral therapy
Since many of the causes of insomnia relate back to your inability to “shut off” and relax, behavioral therapy is the primary treatment attempted for this disorder. It teaches sufferers how to achieve a state of relaxation. It is effective and long-lasting in a majority of persistent insomniacs.
Focuses of behavioral therapy include:
Stimulus control: This method works at regaining the idea that your bed is for sleeping in. Go to bed only when you’re ready for sleep, and get up if you’re unable to sleep in a short period of time. Wake up at the same time each day -- no matter how long you’ve slept -- and avoid daytime naps.
Cognitive behavior therapy: This method discourages negative thoughts about sleep.
Progressive muscle relaxation: PMR teaches patients a system of shutting down their bodies and minds for rest.
Medications
Medicinal treatments can be very effective, but they never cure insomnia and are slow in alleviating symptoms. There are many non-prescription sleep aids available, but note that long-term use can cause dependency, so seek advice from a doctor if your insomnia persists.
Prescribed medications that are specifically meant to improve sleep are called sedative hypnotics, and have been known to cause severe allergic reactions. Other over-the-counter medications used to improve sleep are antihistamines and pain relievers, both of which cause drowsiness.
sweet dreams
There are other causes of insomnia that may occur at different periods in life. Aging, for instance, may be a cause of chronic insomnia due to a change in the growth hormones that have helped us sleep all our lives. Causes of persistent or chronic insomnia are obviously somewhat elusive. Any person who suffers a disturbance in their daily life because of sleeping troubles -- especially for longer than a month or so -- should seek medical treatment.
On your own, you can try meditation, exercise or relaxation methods to alleviate your symptoms. Try to teach yourself how to relax so that you can enjoy a long, restful sleep on a nightly basis.
Insomnia? What causes it?
Few things can affect one's perception and performance as much as lack of sleep. Although most people are unaware when they're suffering from minor sleep deprivation, it can still have a marked effect on their behavior and motor skills. Insomnia, therefore, can wreak havoc on a person's life.
If you feel you're suffering from insomnia, it's important to know the basics. Insomnia is a sleep disorder, and is characterized by the inability to fall or stay asleep for a significant amount of time. Although patients’ reports of sleeping trouble seem to suggest a familial connection, any genetic link carrying the disorder has yet to be found.
Note: There is a difference between having trouble sleeping or poor sleep quality and clinical insomnia. This article deals with the latter, taking into account medical causes and remedies.
Emotional disorders
Emotional disorders can have very powerful effects on a sufferer’s life if left untreated. Through chemical alterations in the body, these disorders have the ability to change one’s perception, coping skills and ability to sleep. As such, they can be a major cause of insomnia. A large majority of those who report persistent insomnia also suffer from psychological issues like depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety. This may be because of the high levels of cortisol -- a stress hormone -- that are frequently caused by these psychological disorders, and are often found in those suffering from chronic insomnia.
Medical conditions
Medical conditions that affect breathing, motor control or brain activity levels may also be responsible for persistent insomnia. Conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, or heart disease could play a big role in one’s inability to sleep. This is likely due to the physical discomfort that's caused, which ultimately affects one’s ability to relax and fall asleep.
Medications
Medications that contain stimulants could be the cause of insomnia. Antidepressants are specifically noted as a possible cause because of their chemical makeup. Similarly, although likely on a lesser scale, other “uppers” like caffeine can have a huge effect on your insomnia. Try avoiding coffee after a set time in the day -- like lunch time or your late-afternoon break.
Overindulgence
Substance abuse has too many side effects to account for. Insomnia is likely one of the least serious but most noticeable side effects. Although controlled amounts of alcohol should have no effect on one’s ability to sleep, chronic, excessive or late-evening alcohol consumption can break up sleep patterns shortly after putting you to sleep. It can also cause other sleep-disturbing problems like sleep apnea (disturbance of breathing) or restless legs syndrome. Cocaine and some sedatives can also cause similar sleep disturbances.
Behavioral therapy
Since many of the causes of insomnia relate back to your inability to “shut off” and relax, behavioral therapy is the primary treatment attempted for this disorder. It teaches sufferers how to achieve a state of relaxation. It is effective and long-lasting in a majority of persistent insomniacs.
Focuses of behavioral therapy include:
Stimulus control: This method works at regaining the idea that your bed is for sleeping in. Go to bed only when you’re ready for sleep, and get up if you’re unable to sleep in a short period of time. Wake up at the same time each day -- no matter how long you’ve slept -- and avoid daytime naps.
Cognitive behavior therapy: This method discourages negative thoughts about sleep.
Progressive muscle relaxation: PMR teaches patients a system of shutting down their bodies and minds for rest.
Medications
Medicinal treatments can be very effective, but they never cure insomnia and are slow in alleviating symptoms. There are many non-prescription sleep aids available, but note that long-term use can cause dependency, so seek advice from a doctor if your insomnia persists.
Prescribed medications that are specifically meant to improve sleep are called sedative hypnotics, and have been known to cause severe allergic reactions. Other over-the-counter medications used to improve sleep are antihistamines and pain relievers, both of which cause drowsiness.
sweet dreams
There are other causes of insomnia that may occur at different periods in life. Aging, for instance, may be a cause of chronic insomnia due to a change in the growth hormones that have helped us sleep all our lives. Causes of persistent or chronic insomnia are obviously somewhat elusive. Any person who suffers a disturbance in their daily life because of sleeping troubles -- especially for longer than a month or so -- should seek medical treatment.
On your own, you can try meditation, exercise or relaxation methods to alleviate your symptoms. Try to teach yourself how to relax so that you can enjoy a long, restful sleep on a nightly basis.
I couldn't get to sleep, and I couldn't STAY asleep. I used to walk around my house half asleep, at night. When I look back on it, it was kinda spooky...just sleep walkin around the house, at three in the mornin...at two, three years old. I kinda forgot about it, but the memories came back, as my mom & I talked about it, a few years ago. She was like, "I'd have to tie you to the bed, or you'd just wander off 
" Now, I sleep like a baby. I learned that if I just relax, and keep my eyes closed, my mind eventually drifts off. ORRRR, if I have really great sex, at night, that'll also do the trick.
uhmmm I am not one for medication. But I'd be willing to try to help you get that well deserved rest 
