3:00 AM WAKE UP - EVERY NIGHT

Good Morning James,

I suspect you may be experiencing nocturnal anxiety.

Anxiety attacks that take place while sleeping, also called nocturnal panic attacks, occur less often than do panic attacks during the daytime, but affect about 40%-70% of those who suffer from daytime panic attacks. Nocturnal panic attacks tend to cause sufferers to wake suddenly from sleep in a state of sudden anxiety for no apparent reason and can have all the other symptoms of a panic attack. The duration of nocturnal panic attacks tends to be less than 10 minutes, but it can take much longer to fully calm down for those who experience them.

Try to relax in the evening before bedtime.  Watch a funny movies, avoid discussing stressful topics, do not eat late in the evening and remember to use all the skills you have used in dealing with your anxiety.

Always remember that anxiety attacks can be controlled; it helps to maintain a positive attitude, control your anxiety attacks don't let them control you.

When I was on Traznodone, I would have terrible nightmares and would wake up in a state of panic nearly every night right around 2 or 3am. It was so hard to get back to sleep and once I did the alarm would ring. After going of the Traznodone, I still wake up during the night but only for a hour or less.

Yes, this happens alot. A few things I do to combat it are:

1) Try to get to bed as early as possible. If I go to bed around 9pm or so, I'll usually log about 5 or 6 hours of sleep before I inevitably wake up in a panic. When I go to bed later, I usually only log 3 or 4 before waking up.

2) I don't like this at all, but sometimes I will take half an ambien to put me back to sleep. I don't like sleeping meds, but I have a job and have to function which requires a good night's sleep.

3) Meditation or yoga helps alot before bed too. Sometimes will keep me from waking up at all.

Hope you feel better soon!