Tips for those who have survived sleep deprivation as a form of abuse?
Hi all,
My abusive ex partner used to intentionally deprive me of sleep for days which, looking back at it, I am so surprised I was functioning still. This ended about six months ago when I finally left him. However, and I don't know if other people have experienced this after that kind of abuse, I cannot get back to normal sleeping patterns. I used to be extremely functionally healthy, my sleep schedule was tight and regimented. I sometimes speculate this could be one of the reasons he found this form of abuse so appealing as a means of control. When I broke up with my ex-partner I tried to get back into normal sleeping routines but my brain just won't fall asleep when I want it to. I go days without it and now I will almost always sleep when I have a moment of calm in the daytime. Be in at my desk at work, a movie with friends, and scarily once when cooking. And some days I have slept for upwards of 12 hours randomly - usually when I haven't gotten much sleep the rest of the day and still I can't find a way to feel well rested. I haven't felt well rested since I met him and he began this and I'm not sure if anyone has tips.
I do try meditation and making myself calm as I know it is likely just a formof stress but I thought once I left him this kind of stuff would finally be over.