An Addiction To Sleeping Pills - A Student's Testimonial

I've always been a little bit of a worrier - a 'worry wort' according to my mother.  I was experiencing instances of heightened anxiety and panic attacks at the age of 13.  I would find most situations stressful and barely made it through my high school exams.  When I reached university I discovered a world of anxiety, insomnia and chronic stress.  I knew I wouldn't make it through without some sort of therapy.

Despite being a psychology graduate, I'm not a fan of alternative therapies or counselling to deal with stress.  I prefer using CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and/or medication; however, CBT became stressful for me so I landed up using medication to manage my symptoms. 

I found insomnia and sleeping disturbances being the most difficult symptom to manage, so I began using sleeping pills to help me get at least a few hours sleep.  I was wary in the beginning, but it worked and I soon began relying on certain sleeping pills to help me on a day to day basis.  I was unable to manage not only my sleeping pattern, but also my anxiety without taking some tablets.

University came and went, and I was still taking my sleeping tablets.  What I discovered was that I began taking greater doses than when I had begun using these pills.  Apparently your body will build an immunity to certain dosages and, as the sleeping pill wears off in a few hours, you may require larger prescriptions.  By the time I was completing my internship I was addicted and taking at least 3 times greater than the recommended dosage.

While I felt rested, the sleeping tablet began affecting my functioning at work and I was making unnecessary mistakes.  My social life was also suffering and my boyfriend noted a change in my personality.  I decided it was time to break the addiction, and I am so glad I did.  I still have panic attacks, but I'm not at risk of physical or psychological side-effects.