middle of the night anxieties

wearyRAsufferer

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2010

Posts : 2955

Posted 9/11/2013 2:05 AM (GMT 0)

How do you stop this?
I keep having disturbing dreams that cause me to wake up and then I start the worry cycle.
I get the what ifs and can't turn it off.
Always worrying about my adult children and why they don't seem to be acting like adults and the worrying about my elderly mother who lives 1200 miles away.
Why can't I be like my husband who says you can't change things so why worry about it?
I have always seemed to feel if you worry about something it means you care and maybe you'll think up a way to change things if you think hard enough. it's never worked.
Or- if you worry about things you will be prepared if something bad happens- it won't catch you off guard.
I hate anxiety.
I try to have Christian songs play through my head and when that doesn't work I get up and go to the bathroom and then sit in the living room for awhile to divert my attention. It helps somewhat but I wish i could just turn it off forever.

ppim38

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2013

Posts : 39

Posted 9/11/2013 2:14 AM (GMT 0)

I know what you mean. What wakes me up is not actually the worry but the anxiety. It used to be caused by something specific- like when my youngest daughter's marriage was breaking up & her husband was acting really badly - but now there isn't a precipitating cause. I just wake up, around 3 am, in an anxiety or panic attack & i have to get up & move around before I can go back to bed again. Then I can get another hour or two of sleep before it happens again. And it's often present during the day & unfortunately the intense anxiety also turns my innards into water so I have that problem too.

I think if you are worrying about something, do what you can to make the situation better. If you can't, then try to accept it. If your mother is in a good place & in decent health, don't do the "what its". As for your adult children, they are grown now & have to make their own way & their own mistakes. Let them do it & learn from it. Let them go.

I wish I had something specific causing my anxiety. How the heck do you deal with something that has no cause???

Ppim

lgm1942

Veteran Member

Joined : Feb 2013

Posts : 6016

Posted 9/11/2013 3:16 AM (GMT 0)

I understand where you guys are coming from, I dont have PAD anymore but I still worry about things
I don't really have the power to change. Sometimes I really believe you can care too much. Peace

Larry ***

wearyRAsufferer

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2010

Posts : 2955

Posted 9/11/2013 2:40 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you both for your responses!

Larry- you hit the nail on the head- I have always felt like I care too much!

Scaredy Cat

Elite Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28868

Posted 9/11/2013 8:59 PM (GMT 0)

Hi W.R.A.S.

I feel you on the 'sandwich generation' pressure!

You have received great input already. I just want to add my understanding and support, as I am in the same boat. I have a pre-teen, a young adult, and aging parents. My mom is starting to show signs of memory/cognitive loss .:(

It is very hard, and I will encourage us...yes I need to take my own advice...to take care of ourselves, as we take care of our loved ones.

Not only is it good four our own benefit, but we can be of better use to others if we take time for ourselves to re-charge.

So set up those boundaries, and only allow so much thought, worry, planning and caring for of your family...then you need to sneak off and do for YOU!!;p

Understanding hugs my friend,

S.C.

wearyRAsufferer

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2010

Posts : 2955

Posted 9/12/2013 1:00 AM (GMT 0)

SC- you always know just what to say! Thank you.
Wishing you peace as well- i will try and take your advice!

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