Non-stop lifestyle catches up with Diddy, now tortured by insomnia at 40

Sleep can elude even those who appear to have it all. Rapper Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs rules over a hip-hop empire valued in the hundreds of millions, throws lavish parties and has an entourage of dozens of people including his own personal barber.

The one thing missing from Diddy’s life is sleep.

"I was proud of working 18 hours a day and sleeping three hours a night," he told ABC’s “Nightline” Thursday. "It's something now that has turned into a problem for me: not being able to sleep.”

Diddy, now 40, once flaunted working like a “machine,” using the hours reserved for sleep to gain an edge on the competition.

He expected the same from his staff. His rule was “Sleep is forbidden.”

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“My mind is always racing, and always going and always working, and it's a gift and a curse,” Diddy told Nightline. “When I was starting out it was something I embraced, and now it’s something that I hate, it tortures – it will torture you.”

He said he's tried everything in his fight with insomnia. He takes sleeping pills, but avoids regular use. He's also tried herbal options, like tea and lavender.

Diddy’s problems appear to be related to his lifestyle. People in isolated, demanding positions like record label executive are highly likely to develop insomnia. Racing thoughts in bed are a common complaint in these cases.

An inconsistent sleep schedule due to late night partying and jet setting also may be the culprit. Drinking alcohol during his many late-night parties may also harm his sleep quality.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended for primary insomnia cases similar to Diddy’s. A sleep specialist would work with him to eliminate the negative racing thoughts that are keeping him awake, and help identify other insomnia promoters.

Learn more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at Sleepeducation.com.