Insomnia

[MissBadHabits]

So, I'm pretty sure insomnia is a popular "issue" with most INTPs. Usually I (sort of) have control over it and can get some sleep at least. Lately however, I can't seem to make my thoughts slow down enough to actually fall into a deep refreshing sleep and it's really starting to wear me down. I was just wondering what other INTPs do in order to sleep well.

 

[Jesse]

Do what I do, find a decent album and go to sleep to it.

 

[MissBadHabits]

Tried that multiple times with various genres of music. Doesn't work for me anymore. Every song I hear makes me think of something. It's annoying

 

[Jesse]

I haven't switched music for 2 years, the first two songs of the album usually put me to sleep.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

My methods over the years have always been these three:

• Music
  I can sleep to any kind of music, but when it's intentional I usually go for: post-metal like Intronaut and Cult of Luna; psychedelic rock like The Doors and Jefferson Airplane; or 'chill-hop' like People Under The Stairs, DJ Shadow and Blockhead.
  
• Television
  It usually helps me to watch movies or shows I've already seen a thousand times, so that there's no drive to stay awake, and I can relieve myself. Volume low of course.
  
• Nothingness
  Complete darkness, complete silence. Doesn't work if it's too hot or I'm uncomfortable. I've been using this continually for some months now. I think my body is used to it, and even expects it.

Also, going from computer - > bed doesn't work, since your mind is still active.

 

[jsn0x]

What I do to put myself to sleep is load up my White Noise app on my iTouch, get the airplane travel sound going and put myself into a fantasy world I create. If I am focusing on that and not what happened throughout the day (if I do, I will think of one thing which leads to another, etc..) I can fall asleep pretty quickly.

 

[Awaken]

http://www.umm.edu/sleep/sleep_hyg.htm

https://www.centerpointe.com/products/

"The Dive" and "Immersion" have really helped me for sleep.

 

[GunsNDoses]

I suffered from severe insomnia when I was a kid. You need to start meditating and try to clear up your mind at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. You can also try solving very hard logic puzzles a few hours before you go to bed so your brain gets tired. -- to stop the thought process later on.

 

[Chimera]

Exercise. If you're not doing it, start. Seriously.
I've been mildly insomniatic baaaasically my entire life. I pulled my first unintentional all-nighter (and went to school the next day) when I was eight years old, and I've struggled with it off and on ever since. During my worse episodes, I consistently slept for less than an hour a night for weeks. When I couldn't take it anymore, I did some sort of strenuous exercise and the next night I slept soundly.
​

 

[Anthrocide]

So, I'm pretty sure insomnia is a popular "issue" with most INTPs. Usually I (sort of) have control over it and can get some sleep at least. Lately however, I can't seem to make my thoughts slow down enough to actually fall into a deep refreshing sleep and it's really starting to wear me down. I was just wondering what other INTPs do in order to sleep well.

STOP THIS THREAD IMMEDIATELY!

Are you a gifted individual?

Gifted children are known for their lower-than-average sleep patterns. This trait carries over to adulthood, manifesting in the semantic description of "unrelenting thoughts". I have read that many gifted individuals experience less sleep due to the inability to "turn off their brain".

I myself have this problem, and the lack of sleep does not hinder my day to day activities. Rather than relating insomnia to MBTI, you should look into "giftedness & sleep".

Additionally, gifted individuals may experience the need for enormous amounts of sleep, but I found less information on that premise (so it is either dissociated or rare). Anyhow, I hope that I assisted you.

 

[A22]

I have some troubles sleeping. I usually sleep 4h per night (+2h after lunch). I almost fall asleep in class. Fortunately it is not making my grades go down. Yet.

 

[MissBadHabits]

STOP THIS THREAD IMMEDIATELY!

Are you a gifted individual?

Gifted children are known for their lower-than-average sleep patterns. This trait carries over to adulthood, manifesting in the semantic description of "unrelenting thoughts". I have read that many gifted individuals experience less sleep due to the inability to "turn off their brain".

I myself have this problem, and the lack of sleep does not hinder my day to day activities. Rather than relating insomnia to MBTI, you should look into "giftedness & sleep".

Additionally, gifted individuals may experience the need for enormous amounts of sleep, but I found less information on that premise (so it is either dissociated or rare). Anyhow, I hope that I assisted you.

I don't know if I'm a gifted individual. The only time I was ever tested was when I was 9 years old and i didn't want to do it so didn't try. However, I did test in the gifted range at that age. I can't turn my brain off, ever. Even when I do sleep, it's because I retreated into my own fantasy world and I like staying there and that's easier to do while sleeping. So I'm really not sure what the problem is because I've tried everything on this thread and there work but not consistently. Oh well, I guess I'm doomed.

 

[Glordag]

My problem is less being able to fall asleep once I try and more actually forcing myself to try. I can never seem to take myself away from whatever I'm interested in at the moment in order to go to my bed. Exercise does definitely make that easier, though, as I will usually become so exhausted that I can no longer focus on my interests and realize I have to sleep.

The times that I actually have trouble falling asleep in my bed are always due to stress or depression. For whatever reason, that will cause my mind to race and I'm incapable of sleeping at that point.

 

[Jesse]

Depending on your age it might be hormones. When I was about 12-13 I couldn't sleep at all. Also try something extremely active during the day, no comp for 2 hours before you go to bed and try the basics of just slow breathing. If everything fails just do it more harder.

 

[Anthrocide]

I don't know if I'm a gifted individual. The only time I was ever tested was when I was 9 years old and i didn't want to do it so didn't try. However, I did test in the gifted range at that age. I can't turn my brain off, ever. Even when I do sleep, it's because I retreated into my own fantasy world and I like staying there and that's easier to do while sleeping. So I'm really not sure what the problem is because I've tried everything on this thread and there work but not consistently. Oh well, I guess I'm doomed.

When I was a child, I counter-acted this issue with music. I carry this habit with me to this day. Have you tried sleeping with music?

 

[Roni]

Apart from a period of depression/anxiety (where I was consciously observing my insomnia as a symptom) I've never had an "issue" with sleeping.

Some of the sleep patterns people are posting here do remind me of my youth. I guess I just didn't fight it or worry about it - if I wasn't sleepy I did something else with my night. Even cleaning my room! Weird child.
Other nights I'd go to bed early just because I was bored. I'd be hoping to have an 'adventure dream' and could drop off fairly easily anticipating that.

Sleep is currently my favourite thing. I love that dozey pre-sleep feeling. I love my bed. I love my dreams. I suppose I haven't changed much since I was a bored kid treating sleep as entertainment.
Maybe that's why it's never been an issue for me?

I do get that INTP mind racing thing though. I try not to let it into bed with me. If there's something that really must be sorted out I stay up and sort it. Then I give myself a good half hour of not thinking (maybe sit outside with a hot drink just listening to the night) before I go back to bed.
If I don't have time for that, or if I recognise I'm getting nowhere with it because I'm too tired to think clearly, I 'park' it for the morning or for my dreams to work on.
I have absolutely no idea how to explain this 'parking' to you, sorry.

 

[alrai]

no problem with that. Sleep time.

 

[Umenneske]

I have that problem too. And that "Are you gifted?-site" made me smile. Aren't most of those characteristics INTP-things?

Well, my insomnia is only a "problem" for me when I have school. Because I put myself under pressure (You need that sleep!). In the holidays I just sit in front of the PC till I really almost fall asleep. Most of the time this is almost untill the morning. But who cares?

When I have to go to school the next morning I do watch something I've already seen a thousand times, like Esc said . Or I solve some Sudokus. Or both. Most of the time I get 4-5 hours of sleep. 6 is really rare.
Music doesn't work for me, keeps me awake. I find this really pleasant to fall asleep to: http://www.rainymood.com/http://www.rainymood.com/ But for me this only works if I'm "pre-tired"

 

[mainiac]

Whats interesting is that the required sleep for an individual can vary widely. So much so that what may seem like (insomnia) is just natural for that person. So what do they do? They medicate the unfortunate (victim) with dangerouse hypnotic drugs and others. This person is just different not defective. Then there are others that need more sleep than average and are considerd (lazy). Often they are made to rise at the same time as everyone else and fucntion like the rest. What realy is happening is this person is getting deprved what for him is a good nights sleep and is still calssified as being lazy because he or she cannot function up to par.

 

[Stoic Beverage]

I, at least, am an excellent sleeper. I can conk out in a light, loud room while sitting up. Despite this, I still get far less sleep than is probably healthy...
I mean, how can you sleep when there are so many forums to surf, books to read, songs to hear, etc.?

 

[alrai]

I haven't slept for 2 days, with some luck I just might make it 3. I wonder how my eyes look to other people?

 

[downsowf]

Ever since I was a kid I have never been able to sleep well. Thoughts constantly race through my head and I can't shut my mind off. Naturally, you feel like shit in the morning. I'm not an advocate for drugs but Ambien has sure worked for me.