Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.

What you are having is basically insomnia which is an individual's report of sleeping difficulties. Insomnia is present when there is difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep or when the sleep that is obtained is non-refreshing or of poor quality. These problems occur despite adequate opportunity and circumstances for sleep and they must result in problems with daytime function. In your case your erratic sleeping hours may be disturbing the sleep cycle. Since you are sleeping at 1 am due to office work, your sleep schedule has been shortened.

First of all, we should try the non pharmacological methods first. You should consult a sleep specialist and dissuss the treatment option of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). In the meanwhile you should start the sedatives and antidepressants which you can get prescribed by your doctor. Sedatives would include Alprazolam (Alprex: 0.5 mg) or Clonazepam (0.5 mg).

Apart from the treatment mentioned above, try the following treatment options:

1) Keep a regular sleep and awakening schedule. If you sleep at 1 am, try to wake up at 8 am.

2) Do not drink caffeinated beverages after dinner. (tea, coffee, soft drinks etc.)

3) Do not go to bed hungry and you can have milk etc before going to bed.

4) Adjust the environment in the room (lights, temperature, noise, etc.)

5) Do not watch TV, read, eat, or worry in bed and avoid watching TV, reading books, and eating in your bed.

6) Self-hypnosis, biofeedback and relaxation breathing are often helpful. These can be discussed with a sleep specialist.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

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Hello,

Thanks for writing back.

Since you are having insomnia (lack of sleep), apparently it is due to reversal of normal sleep cycle with your office timings being erratic. Along with the lifestyle measures, you may need sedatives like alprax or Clonazepam to be taken at bedtime. You could speak to your family physician to prescribe these medicines. Today’s research indicates that a move toward individualizing the dosing of prescription agents is warranted and it can happen only after physical consultation / your doctor will know about these drugs.

This should regulate your sleep pattern and treat insomnia as well.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

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