Does anyone else go through this

[Constance55]

Does anyone else get anxiety thinking about trying not to get anxiety? My anxiety is very high every night. I hate knowing it is our bedtime and I won't sleep. I finally have the actual attack and take my medication and hours later fall asleep. But knowing that my schedule is so off, I miss time with my family and then my depression sinks in even more. They know what I am going through and try to help but it just makes me worse.

[Hidden]

Hi Constance55!

I understand the anxiety about sleep. My situation is a little different than yours. I have Restless Legs Syndrome and my bedtime anxiety is my lying there wondering if it’s going to kick in or not. Will I end up on the couch again? That sort of thing. It really is depressing when you can’t fall asleep when you so desperately want to. I know! I wish I had some magical pill that would help you, but I don’t. Maybe you could explain your problem to the doctor and he could give you something to sleep. Or, maybe you could take your existing med at bedtime routinely instead of waiting for panic to set in and then take it. I would consult my doctor. I hope you have a good day!!

[Constance55 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, Last night I actually took bothmy anxiety meds like prescribed 2x a day so I take one dose at bedtime but still it takes me hours, but no attack. I may continue. Thanks GratitudeFirst😏

[gerg]

Yes, I have gotten anxious about the possibility of feeling anxiety. I think that this was a big part of my panic attacks. Anxiety is a powerful and cunning disorder, it wants more anxiety. Knowing this has helped me a lot. Now I fight the secondary fears and it tends to lessen the primary anxiety. In other words, I use my anxiety against itself.

I think it works because I find it easy to identify the anxiety about anxiety as irrational. Then I carry the momentum over to dispute the other irrational thoughts.

There is relief from anxiety. It begins by knowing that it can be done. Anxiety, as a force, does not want you to know this. You have my support in your efforts.

[Constance55 in reply to gerg]

Thanks, Gerg. I hope to learn how to do this at night. I am looking in to getting professional help. This is very exhausting. I support you and hope it continues to work for you.

[Southpark in reply to gerg]

How do you fight the anxiety ? I’m really struggling with that and am sleep deprived. So I can think clearly but would like to fight the anxiety. All you said makes sense

[Southpark in reply to gerg]

Greg. What I REALLY meant is I CAN’T concentrate because of lack of sleep

[peanutbuttercup]

I have the EXACT same thing. If I could get that under control, I feel like I would be getting somewhere. I liked Gerd’s reply.

[peanutbuttercup in reply to peanutbuttercup]

I would love to hear more from you and Gerd on the subject because it sounds like we have the same type problem.

[Constance55 in reply to peanutbuttercup]

I know what you mean. I do too!

[MrZee]

Honey, anxiety is the story of my life. Everyday I worry “the other shoe is going to drop” ... aka something bad’s about to happen. I too take sleeping meds and just have to lay awake until they kick in. The only nuturing thing I can say to you is you’re not alone.

Best,

MZ

[Constance55]

Thanks, Mr Zee. I tried melatonin and drift off but to wake up in full panic mode. I have tried Tylenol Pm for my headaches as well and same thing. Have you tried these?

[MrZee]

Yes. I’ve tried those. Over the counter sleeep “help” pills don’t do it for me. So I went to my doctor. For sleep my doctor prescribed Lunesta and Valium. I don’t like being sleep drug dependent. But on the other hand I need my sleep. I’m a bit groggy in the morning when I wake. But I’m glad I got my sleep.

Also what helps is if it’s a nice day out, taking a long walk. I’ll put on my music and just walk. I find I sleep better from the earlier walk.

Good luck with what you do. Let me know how it develops.

Best,

MZ

[Constance55 in reply to MrZee]

Mr.Zee, thanks. I use to go to the gym but it has been awhile. I am thinking about going back. It use to help me alot.

But I will start maybe planning a walk after dinner☺

[MrZee in reply to Constance55]

That sounds great Constance55. A walk after the meal is good for digestion as well as helping to sooth the mind. When I walk I like listening to classical music. I like the calming effect. With my anxiety, the calming from the walk and music helps.

Best,

MZ

[Stella180]

Ahhh, anxious about being anxious. I think we’ve all been there. It’s like a self fulfilling prophecy. I’ve found graded exposure therapy helped with my anxiety and although I still feel anxious I do feel a bit more in control and less chance of a full blown panic attack. Practicing Mindfulness can also help. Try some of the guided meditation videos on you tube.

[Constance55 in reply to Stella180]

Thank you. I really should.

[Southpark in reply to Stella180]

How do you practice mindfulness? Where do you get the meditation videos ?

[Stella180 in reply to Southpark]

If you do a search for “guided meditation” on you tube you’ll find loads of stuff. The body scans I found useful too

[Southpark in reply to Stella180]

What is graded exposure therapy?

And how do you practice mindfulness?

[Stella180 in reply to Southpark]

Graded exposure therapy is putting you in a situation that causes you anxiety until over time you no longer feel the threat and therefore calms the anxiety.

Mindfulness has various forms from colouring books and art or listening to music and meditation. It’s basically grounding yourself and being able to live in the present.

[Southpark in reply to Stella180]

Do you use a therapist with graded exposure therapy? I have coloring books. Hope that helps. Meditation I want to do. And listen to relaxing music. Hoping to get treated by counselor using Cognitive Behavior Therapy even though I’m still not sleeping enough. Ambien only gives me 2-1/2-3

Hrs sleep.

Thank you for the recommendations. Are these working for you?

[Stella180 in reply to Southpark]

The exposure therapy was done with a therapist. I signed up to a group to learn more about mindfulness which can be done in pretty much any environment but the guided meditation and body scans on you tube are a great place to start

[Southpark]

Hi Constance. I can really relate with what you are going through. Yes I have the high anxiety and am sleep deprived. I have tried many natural things but they are not working. My pcp put me on Ambien. Took the first one last night but woke up at 3 am. Do you know anything about Ambien? I don’t seem to have much choice if I want to get ANY sleep at all. Felt groggy all day and no appetite. I keep asking God to heal me or take me home. This is the hardest thing I have ever faced.

[Constance55 in reply to Southpark]

Yes I agree, no sleep is the hardest. I have been sleeping now that I make sure I am so exhausted my mind and body has no choice. I do anything exercising, shopping, organizing and cleaning til my body is tired and I read or play mind games or make new to do lists and even watch movies to take me out of the place I am in my head to focus on something else. It's been helping me alot!!

[Southpark]

Hi Constance. Yes I do the same thing. I get anxiety thinking about anxiety. About whether I will fall asleep. My pcp has me on Ambien. I did not want a sleeping pill, but I have gotten so desperate for sleep. Took one last night but woke up at 3am. Then All day today I felt anxious and was like a zombie. Made myself more anxious trying to decide whether to take it tonight. My daughter was a help and encouraged me to do what the Dr said. I’m still anxious about being on this medication. Has anyone else taken this? I’m going to try Cognitive Behavior therapy which is supposed to help both these problems. Has anyone else tried CBT?

[Southpark]

Still woke up at 3am again last night after taking Ambien.

[Youarenotalone]

There is no better substitute than a good nutritious home cooked food, exercise & love of family/friends to overcome anxiety issues. People often overlook the role good natural food plays in keeping mind healthy. I have had severe anxiety issues and insomnia for very long. However now I stopped giving s**t to most things in life except for family & health. And now I can sleep well. 😴 Gn

[texasbonnet]

Oh my god yes. At one time, I would get anxious because I wasn't anxious.