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anxiety before sleep..

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Posted 2/10/2015 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
Last year my anxiety was high, although am taking med (lexp 10 mg) since 8 years, it started by excess worrying then having panic attacks during day I didn't increase medication but insisted to give it time to subside and learn how to coop and handle by proper CBT and with time I was able to combat and let those thoughts go.
recently I started dealing with different anxiety which is the fear of not falling asleep early as I have duty next day and how I will perform if did not sleep well.
the moment I hit the pillow my pb gets high with the anxiety and negative thoughts starts, sometimes Iam able to sleep if kept under control and sometimes its late and my worries exaggerates I have to take xanax and I don't want to take it daily increases my anxiety.
shall I increase the lexapro to 20 and let the med sort out the problem which leads me to be mentally dependent on it ?
or keep handling it with cbt and giving it more time may be it will subside with time with xanax if needed like 2 or 3 times per week?

pls. help..
Posted 2/10/2015 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Sorry to hear your anxiety has got worse lately that must be very frustrating for you.

With regards to your question of increasing your medication that is something you really need to discuss with your doctor. Glad to hear you have done CBT as the skills you have learned there will come in handy maybe you just need to put them back into practice? It sounds to me like you have had a setback which happens to all of us but you need to try and stay positive and put your coping skills to work so that you can get the anxiety back under control which you can do as you have done it before.

With regards to sleep if you are not getting enough this will impact on your anxiety levels and mood so have a look at this post I did a while ago on sleep to get a few tips on what can help your sleep patterns:-

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=3216611

Hibee
Posted 2/10/2015 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have the answer about your medication issue.

I do want to share that for 20 years now the going to sleep anxiety has been a huge issue for me. It's so bad that I have to schedule all of my appointments past noon. If I have an early morning anything I have the anxiety at night. It's pure agony. My mind races with thoughts of what if I can't sleep, how will I do the event I have to the next day (even a dentist appt. ) or how will I survive without sleep??? You get my point.

The one thing I learned is that just resting is enough and my body is not stronger than the need for sleep.

I just want you to know that you are not alone on this issue.
Posted 2/10/2015 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Bananas, Almonds and Tart Cherries are three foods that contain or help boots Melatonin which help you to sleep.
Posted 2/10/2015 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Baso,

Great advice above!! All I can add is that perhaps in addition to talking to your doctor about your Rx question...

...why not also discuss the use of a light sleep aid in lieu of the Xanax?

There are short duration prescriptions available that would not knock you out to the point of feeling 'hung-over' the next day...


...and even the use of an OTC such as the Nyquil sleep formula, or an antihistamine could be options for you. (Melatonin such as Steve mentioned can also be taken as a suppliment)

Wishing you the answers and sleep you need soon.:)

S.C.
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