What is the best OTC sleep aid?

My psychiatrist would like me to start taking a sleep aid in the form of Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, etc). I know there are a couple of products that contain this medication such as Unisom, Sominex but I'm wondering what people have had the best luck with. I have a lot of trouble calming down and getting to sleep but once I am asleep it is very hard for me to wake up too. So the best case would be something that #1 works and allows me to sleep soundly #2 doesn't leave me feeling like I was hit by a bus when I wake up (if you know what I mean.. haha) If I have no luck with Diphenhydramine we are going to look into prescription options.

Any suggestions or info is appreciated.

I am not looking for natural remedies.. I have tried many things and there are medical reasons for why I am having such trouble sleeping. I am going to try a form of Diphenhydramine but I just want to know what people think of some of the OTC forms of it..

Diphenhydramine is a chemical and there are not really other "forms" of it, just different brand names that contain this chemical. Honestly, Benadryl is the exact same thing as Unisom or Sominex, except that the Unisom tablets are 50mg whereas Benadryl tablets tend to be 25mg--all you have to do is take 2 and it is the exact same thing as taking Unisom or Sominex. So save yourself some money, buy Benadryl or even better generic diphenhydramine, and take 50mg before bed. It will be as effective as any of the OTC sleep aids you mention because it is the same exact chemical.

My husband uses Tylenol PM, Advil PM, and Sleep MD. He says they all work about the same. He takes them almost every night because he needs his sleep and cannot fall asleep the old fashioned way. I on the other hand have Rx. medicines that are for seizures, dizziness, nausea etc... They knock me right out. Those OTC meds. do have that ingredient in them. SWEET DREAMS!

Relative (child) takes meletonin each night to aid with REM sleep. I do not know much about it, but appears to be safe enough for children.

Here is a general link with more info :

http://insomnia.emedtv.com/melatonin/mel...

This sounds so simple, but what helps me is, about an hour before bedtime I drink a full glass of milk. I also swallow a calcium/magnesium capsule or tablet at the same time. It truly does relax me. Try it, you surely have nothing to lose. And there are no bad side effects.