Shampa Maitra, 48, a Mumbai-based professional, faced the travails of insomnia, which started in her late teens and lasted for over 25 years. How did she finally get over her addiction to sleeping pills?
When were you diagnosed with Insomnia?
Pretty early, when I was about 18/19, around the time I lost my father.
What were the early symptoms?
It was difficult to fall asleep. I counted sheep till they came home many times over but still could not fall asleep. When I did, it was hard to stay asleep. The slightest sound woke me up and then there was no way I could go back to sleep again.
Is there a history of insomnia in your family?
Yes. My mother suffers from it. Apparently she used to sleep like a log before she got married. My father was a doctor in the Army and my mother was a young bride / young mother during the war with China and Bangladesh, when my father was away serving the Army. She used to stay awake at night worrying for him. Then I came along and added to her sleeplessness. I was an ill child along with being a naughty one.
People with insomnia often don’t feel refreshed when they wake up from sleeping, either. This can lead to fatigue and other symptoms. Please tell us what you experienced.
I got up as early as I could without being looked upon strangely or suspiciously by the other members of the house. At the beginning of my day, I used to be very charged (the joy of not having to lie in bed, awake, I suppose). Around mid-morning I used to start feeling like a zombie. Felt like one in college as well and in the later years at work. I came alive in the evening. And repeated the same cycle day in and day out. It led me to be very irritable as well. I used to believe that if I tired myself out, I could be able to sleep so I did tire myself out every day. That added to my zombieness since I never slept.
What do you think led to it?
Stress I think – dad’s death and then a host of other circumstances. The mind kept trying to either work out solutions or fantasizing. Either way, it did not allow me to sleep.
Did you suffer from short-term insomnia or did it turn chronic?
Turned chronic because I had it till I was 44 or so.
Were you on medication? What medicines did you take?
A mild sedative …Alzolam .25 mg
Any side effects of the medicines?
I got addicted to it
Any related complications?
Apart from addiction, I can’t recall any other complication.
Did you try changes in your lifestyle because of your condition?
I started eating my meals on time. Did not have oily greasy food, ensured I unwound before I slept, turned in early, exercised, had warm milk with haldi (turmeric) before sleeping.
See the video on Sleep Tips below
Read 10 Tips for Better Sleep
Have you tried complementary medicine or therapies, like homeopathy or yoga?
No
Has it been difficult emotionally to cope with your condition?
I never viewed the condition thru the lens of emotion. It was a condition.. that was that
How has your family supported you?
They were equally pragmatic. Some people cant sleep and I was one of them…that’s all there was to it.
Did you see a counselor for support?
No
What is your present condition?
I now sleep well without medication
Are you totally cured now? If so, how?
I was introduced to Nichirens Diashonin's Buddhism many years ago but I was not actively practising it. About 4 years ago instead of counting sheep I chanted Nam Myo Ho Renke Kyo. That calmed me and led me towards the discovery and realization of the fact that cause and effect is the operating principle of life - at a body, mind and soul level. At a body level I was doing enough. At a mind level I got off the medicines. Really used my mind / will power to get off the medical addiction and at soul level I studied the Gosho, practiced and used faith to surmount my troubles. I worked on my third eye and sacral chakras. Therefore worked on my intuition andcreativity / passion quotients. I just stopped paying any attention to my insomnia .And voila today I am cured.
