Insomnia is a challenging condition, one that may affect your lifestyle and your interactions with others. Here at About.com, we offer an
insomnia forum you can use to talk with other patients, family members and professionals about insomnia and related sleep disorders. There are however, hundreds of other places to find support,
online and offline.
Why Support is Necessary When Coping With Insomnia
You may wonder why joining a support group or professional organization is necessary if you have insomnia. There are many reasons people join support groups or forums. Here are some examples:
- to bounce ideas off of others with insomnia
- to talk with other people with insomnia
- to release stress
- to help family members cope with insomnia-related stress
Often people find they need someone to talk to that can understand how difficult insomnia is, someone that is objective and friendly. People also join forums to learn more about insomnia and related sleep disorders, or to share information about new
clinical studies or
treatments for insomnia. Just be sure you do not receive medical advice from anyone in a forum or support group, even if they are medically qualified. The only person you should rely on for medical advice is your doctor or other healthcare provider.
Building a Personal Insomnia Support Team
Apart from support groups, you should also work to build your own "personal" support "team". This may include anyone you like, but usually includes:
- your doctor
- partner or loved ones
- nurse or other staff assisting you with your disease
- psychologist or therapist
Your doctor can provide you with sound medical advice about the
causes of insomnia and talk about your treatment choices. Healthcare support staff can assist with prescription refills or questions you may have about insomnia symptoms and treatments. A
therapist can provide you with objective advice and insight about the causes for your insomnia and provide you with tools for coping with insomnia. You may find it helpful to bring your partner or loved one with you to appointments, so they understand how to help you live with insomnia. A
diagnosis of insomnia is not a death sentence. Make sure you take "time out" to build your personal support team, so you always have someone nearby you can count on in times of need.
