Obsessive-compulsive disorder.  If you can put two and two together, you probably realize that falling asleep is difficult for many of us with OCD.  Our minds won’t stop processing.  Sometimes I’d imagine that my roomie could hear my head from the next room over, churning like a coffee grinder as I rehashed the day, worried about tomorrow, and let my mind chase its own tail as I ruminated on unknowable concerns.

The same thing unfortunately happened on long car rides.

My solution for both was simple, though there’s no guarantee it will work for others.

Audiobooks.

Instead of trying to turn off my mind, I instead gave it something specific to think about, to dwell on, to follow: a story.

And not just any story, but a story I was already familiar with.  This was important because then I could fall asleep without worrying that I’d miss something.

I also take risperidone (can’t sleep without it!) and melatonin (to help me stay asleep through the night).

Anyone else have any clever ideas for falling asleep with OCD?

Related posts:
When Thinking Hurts
Amazing Audiobooks