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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 7/10/2012 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
Lately when I am very anxious and also very tired, it seems when I am trying to go to sleep, that my anxiety and tiredness are fighting one another. I will start to drift off and then almost jump back awake....kind of like the reaction that babies have in their sleep when they jump as though they are afraid they're falling. It freaks me out and makes my anxiety worse, but eventually I will calm down enough to drift off to sleep....and once I'm asleep, all is fine. Does anyone else have or have you ever had this type of issue?
Posted 7/10/2012 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
YES!

I am having this often right now too; it happens and then brings on a panic attack. It is alike to the sensation of dropping down and really scares me.

Do you awake suddenly too? I have been waking with a panicky feeling where I cannot catch my breath.

The problem is one then experiences anticipatory anxiety...I am almost waiting for it to take place.

Not conducive to a peaceful night's slumber!

LP
Posted 7/11/2012 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
yes- this sucks. I need my rest more then anything and I jerk awake like I feel like I'm falling, heart pounding and then those stinkin thoughts start running thru my mind. I worry about EVERYTHING, whether it's about one of my children being at crossroads, one making poor decisions, one just plain struggling and what if my elderly mom dies 1200 miles away and work worries, financial worries and on and on and on....

I try to tell myself that worrying doesn't change anything, that most fears never come to pass, that night time is not the time to think about these things, I shake my head and pretend it's an etch a sketch to erase the thoughts and sometimes I just get out of the bed and go sit in my chair for awhile and the change of location seems to help.
Posted 7/11/2012 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Worries are basically fears. Everyone gets scared, but we all handle fear in different ways. Sometimes, it's easier to dwell on a fear than to do something about it, or to accept that there is nothing to be done. I used to worry the night away and would toss and turn and not fall asleep until 3:00 AM. Make a rule for yourself that once you are in bed you will think about only one things.  It may be daydreaming about your fantasy vacation, something simple and relaxing, such as laying on a beach in the Caribbean.  Whatever you choose make sure that it is something that relaxes you, rather than something that stresses you. For me, I have learned that once the day is over lying in bed worrying about what tomorrow will bring does no good other than to allow anxiety to keep me awake.  My bed is for sleeping not worrying. Sweet dreams, Kitt    
Posted 7/11/2012 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
thats exactly how i feel except i wont fall back asleep cause im afraid of waking up in a panic again.
Posted 7/11/2012 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
This used to happen to me too, and it still does, just not to the same extent. Just like babola, I wouldn't be able, nor want to go back to sleep. For a short time I took Ambien on those rough nights, and it really helped. It isn't for everyone, but I still have a running prescription of it on hand, because a solid night sleep can change the entire week for me and my ability to handle anxiety attacks.
Posted 7/11/2012 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
My mind used to run no-stop over little things at bedtime. I recently puchased a sound machine. I let it run on ocean waves as I drift off. I try to focus on the beat of the waves and slow my breathing down to match it. Before I know it I'm asleep without my brain running ramped.
Posted 7/11/2012 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for everyone's replies. The thing is, that I am not necessarily worried about anything when it happens. It's usually after a high anxiety day, but when I am very tired and I want to go to sleep......but as I sleepily doze off, I jump back awake. While I'm sorry that anyone else has to experience this, I'm glad to know it isn't just me.
Posted 7/27/2012 10:16 AM (GMT 0)
It happens to me most nights.. sometimes Im awake all night as not only do I jerk away with the fear surge, it gives me horrible inner trembling that keeps me awake and leaves me exhausted. It even wakes me in the night at times.
Posted 7/27/2012 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
I suffer from this also. But I usually fall asleep without a problem and then wake up in the middle of the night with that panic feeling almost like I was being suffocated while I was sleeping. I usually leave the bedroom, pace around the house and then end up on the couch with the TV on to fall back to sleep. But sometimes is turns into a full blown panic attack that will last for an hour or two. Luckily this doesn't happen too often.
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