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afraid of going to sleep

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Posted 12/16/2015 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody,


I have been up for the last 20 hours, give or take.
I am afraid to go to sleep, because this morning, around 1:00am, I woke up freaking out.
I was shaking and trembling, my head felt foggy, and I got scared and started to panic.
So I ran downstairs and turned on the computer to distract myself. Also I read the Bible.
Now I'm scared to go to bed, because I don't want to go through that again.
I need help. What should I do?

Freakedoutone
Posted 12/16/2015 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
Your body needs rest, you have to sleep.

I would repeat positive mantras and think positive thoughts before going to sleep.

If you are thinking you will have issues with your sleep, you most probably will. Think positive and hopefully you'll be fine.

Best of luck, I really think your body will be tired and give you a good rest regardless.
Posted 12/16/2015 6:22 AM (GMT 0)
F.O.O.,

When I used.to go through this, a bad night was typically followed by a good one...

...especially since you must be tired at this point.

I am sure you will sleep pretty well tonight.

Like Aus_Dad suggested, arm yourself with some good coping skills to have just in case...

...but I bet you sleep a good restorative sleep tonight.:)

Peace and progress,

S.C.
Posted 12/16/2015 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Aus_Dad and Scaredy Cat.
I'll try that and see how it goes.

God bless.
Freakedoutone
Posted 12/16/2015 9:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Have a look at some Mindfulness videos on youtube they should help with the increased anxiety you are experiencing.

Hibee
Posted 12/17/2015 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
How did your sleep go freakedout?
Posted 12/17/2015 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Aus_Dad and Hibee,

On Wednesday, I slept for about 8 to 9 hours, and I started to have anxiety/panic after I had a dream that woke me up freaked out.
This been happening every night since a few weeks ago.
I'm thinking that it's because of all the stress from the holidays.

Hibee, I did try those rain or sleep mindfulness videos on Youtube before, but they just made me have more anxiety.
Thanks anyway though.
God bless both of you.
Freakedoutone
Posted 12/18/2015 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
I think I remember SC saying that anxiety in your sleep is one of the last hurdles we face.

I know that it's the only anxiety I experience now is randomly in my sleep.

I give it no attention and is slowly getting better, their just dreams after all :)
Posted 12/18/2015 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yup!

That was my experience, and what I have read about/heard from others.

Peace and progress!

S.C.
Posted 12/20/2015 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Aus_Dad,and Scaredy Cat,

I don't know what's going on but I'm still having trouble sleeping, when I sleep I have horrible nightmares, and I wake up scared and crying.
I have a really bad anxiety and it's affecting my sleep. Since then I stayed up 24 hours and then go to sleep and I keep having this problem.
I feel there is no hope for me.
Thanks everyone.
God bless you.
Love,
Freakedoutone
Posted 12/21/2015 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
F.O.O.,

There is always hope. You are making progress all the time...although it is not always in a linear direction.

You will get back on track and moving forward again soon...and your sleep will improve.

I would suggest doing some relaxation exercises before you go to bed each night. If the videos are not for you...try something that is more geared toward your preference. Maybe some breathing exercises or yoga? Progressive Muscle Relaxation or journaling?

Whatever helps you to decompress before bedtime and feel as relaxed as possible.

Also, have you tried Melatonin yet? This could be helpful in keeping you in a peaceful sleep...

Hoping tonight is a restful one!

S.C.
Posted 12/21/2015 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Freakedout,

It will pass, I had the same thing and it DOES gets better.

I kept reminding myself they were just dreams and really tried to not think about them during the day abd they gradually got better.
Posted 12/22/2015 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Another type of mindfulness is distraction, you said you Pray pick out one that you can memorize and
repeat it the concentration will break the anxiety/panic just keep doing it until you feel the release! Peace

Larry ***
Posted 12/30/2015 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
I have the same exact problem.... I take 10mg of ambien to fall asleep and bam an hour later I wake up fight to fall back asleep and an hour to later I'm up shaking anxious hopeless taking Ativan praying with horrible thoughts going through my head... I don't know why this is happening and I can't stop it. Somebody told me to take melatonin an hour before I go to bed I don't know but I do understand how horrible it is and on top of that I have derealization so my night so hard and then my days are hard just really sucks
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