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Trouble falling asleep

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Posted 7/16/2007 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hi,

Well I've been having trouble falling asleep lately. For example, last night I was very tired and just when I was dozing off I woke up in panic. I described it to my parents like "i felt like I was about to faint in my sleep and I woke up" (more like jumped awake). I then tried to go to sleep again and felt the same thing. This has happened to me before and sometimes it takes me hours to fall asleep. I went to the doctor and got my heart checked just in case and I'm totally fine so I'm guessing it's something psychological. Sometimes I am already sleeping and I wake up with a jump, like when you dream you are falling. When I wake up in the morning I'm fine but when night time comes I get scared that the same thing is going to happen. Most of the times it doesn't and it hasn't happened to nights in a row but I feel extremely nervous every time I feel this way. I haven't gone to a psychologist or psychiatrist.. should I?

Also, when I've had this sort of problem, when I wake up I feel nervous and creeped out.

Has anyone had this problem?? HELP ME! I hate feeling like this!

Posted 7/16/2007 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Pinky

Welcome to Healing Well and the Anxiety & Panic forum.

I am sorry that your having this problem and I hope by talking with the members here you will gain some insight into what is going on.

You said you had your heart checked out, may I ask if that was with your family physician? Did he/she have any ideas of what may be at the root of your night time sleep disturbance?

You may want to start with a return visit to your physician and talk about your problem again. I have no idea if you have any other health issues as other things may cause your sudden awakening episodes.

A therapist is always a good idea if your having a psychological problem and sometimes medication.

I know you will get other responses from our members, so keep posting and stay with us.

Again a warm welcome.
Posted 7/16/2007 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Pinkybg,
I'm sorry you're having these problems. I'm not new to anxiety and panic attacks, and I'm on medications and seeing a therapist for this, but what you're describing still happens to me sometimes. No matter what I do, sometimes I have difficulty falling asleep or wake up in a panic. For me, I usually feel like I can't catch my breath. I know it's a horrible feeling, but I try to breathe through it or if I have to, I'll take my meds. I can't tell you if you should see a psychologist, but I can tell you it helps me a lot. If you would rather not, I know there is a lot of self help available on the internet and in books. I hope you are feeling better soon,
Bear
Posted 7/17/2007 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
might be nocturnal panic attacks, dont worry about them, although unpleasant, they cant harm you

Posted 7/17/2007 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
I use to get theses all the time
'I now am on a med called Trazadone and FOR ME it has been a great help
Plus I have a hot milk with a touch of Cinnamon on top for flavor
The milk when heated is causing the natural ingredients to activate and thus will relax you to fall asleep ........the trazadone keeps you asleep shutting off all your thoughts and fears
I wish you all the best and Welcome aboard
Please do stay with us ......Post often and take care
Please let us know how you make out
be well
lyn
Posted 7/17/2007 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Lyn on the Trazadone, it works great for me too, and I chase mine with a diet coke..........nono but the milk is a much wiser choice.

Take care.
Posted 7/17/2007 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
I hate that feeling. It doesn't happen to me everynight, but when it does it's so annoying. I find it happens when I have had high anxiety throughout the day.

One night it happend 3 or 4 times. Everytime I would be about to fall asleep I would jerk and wake up. It never turns into a panic attack though, it just makes it very hard to fall asleep.

Since you've seen your Dr. and he said nothings physically wrong, maybe you should try some cardio. Exercise usually makes me sleep better.

Do you have anxiety throughout the day? Maybe it's stress.

Hang in there.

Zomese
Posted 7/18/2007 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Pinkybg, I almost thought I was reading my own story; I have anxiety, depression, PTSD, and agoraphobia ? sp; Lately, I have been under a lot of stress. At first, I couldn't sleep at all, it was almost like I fought sleep; even if I got sleepy, I couldn't go to sleep (like nervous energy or something), and if I did get to sleep, I woke up a lot. Well now, I didn't sleep much last week, but this week I stay sleepy; however, for the last 2 wks or so, I have been having all sorts of dreams: the latest of which is mostly feeling like I am falling all of a sudden, I don't know what I am falling off of, I am just falling with feet and arms up towards sky; like I would land on my back I guess; I jump (sit) straight up in bed or couch which ever scared to death, it is so real. I have fallen lately (in my dreams) more times than I can count; the other dreams were seeing snakes at close up range - woke up fast then too; other things were so stupid; it was like real things that could happen, but aren't likely; anyway I can sympathize - it is driving me crazy, I don't know when I have had a good nights sleep; however, like I said, I do have an awful lot of stressors in my life right now, so I know that is what is causing it. I also wake up sometimes with jerky like movements from my legs? could be dreaming then too, not sure. Anyway, hope you and everyone elese will feel better soon + myself.
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