Time to seek out some answers.

[NoirLioness]

So, an update from the past week I actually did some research on coping skills and here is what worked for me just from last night. I know that it isn't a cure all but I was actually able to have a restful sleep. First I made a point to only have one item of caffeine (I'm useless without it.) I only had one energy drink early in the morning as I drove to work at 8:30 am. I didn't allow myself any other caffeinated beverage for the rest of the day. I normally eat pretty well. I am a vegetarian so I eat a lot of fruits, veggies, hummus, veggies burgers etc. When I got home I felt myself a little activated so I took a hydroxezine. I am supposed to use them as sleep aids but I found they weren't helping me when I was having panic attacks so I stopped. I had some dinner and continued to felt activated so I took another hydroxezine which are prescribed to me to take as needed. After that I took a warm bath and listened to some music that would make me laugh or bring back positive memories. After that I was feeling alright and made myself a cup of sleepy time tea. I have to say, I.do.not.drink.tea. It's just not something I'm too keen on but it was a pretty pleasant feeling. I could only drink half of it but then I started feeling tired. I normally go to bed around 9:15-9:45. I went and laid down around 8:30 allowing myself the time to get comfortable. I should also back track by stating that I used to spend my time in my room on my phone laying in bed before going to sleep. I read that you shouldn't use your bed to lay in and do leisurely things but instead to reserve it only for sleep. So I turned on the office on Netflix which I listen to as I fall asleep because I have a severely overactive mind. Low and behold I was able to fall asleep without instance. I slept through the night for the most part and even slept until my alarm at 6am (snooze until 7am). I feel pretty good today, did the same where I only had one caffeinated beverage. Hopefully I can have similar results tonight. We'll see!

[bridder01]

Way to go Noir! If it works, keep at it! That's the important thing!

A friend,

Brian

[NoirLioness in reply to bridder01]

Thank you so much Brian! Appreciate your words of encouragement!

~Noir

[Hidden]

That sounds great! I have a bad habit if I’m feeling lazy or wanting to read I’ll curl up in bed & notice I’m there a lot! I’ll have to try to lay in the floor or on a couch or something from now on! We do have outside patio furniture & I love to lay out there to read my book & look at the pool! This post was really helpful! I will try this tonight! I hope you have another restful sleep! Xoxo

[NoirLioness in reply to Hidden]

That would be awesome to lay outside with a good book! I live in Arizona so its hot.Hot.HOT! But it's monsoon season and there is something so beautiful about the smell of rain, the wash and just the overall atmosphere! Let me know if you had any success with changing your lounging area! I hope you're well!

[mirai]

Yes awesome!! That's so great that you found something that worked, I'm really happy for you! I feel like that's what my life is, stumbling around with trying different things and just hoping something works. And every once in a while something does and it feels so good. Also I feel like I relate so much to listening to music that brings back good memories, I don't know why but my mental health problems make nostalgia so much more powerful. Let us know how tonight goes!

[NoirLioness in reply to mirai]

Thank you so much I appreciate your kind words! It really is a stumbling through the dark type feeling when trying to find what works. Then when you find it, it's always the thought of "How long will this work?" Speaking of nostalgia, I saw my therapist yesterday and she said that when we have panic thoughts it's generally having to do with things we've experiences in out adolescence. I was asking why I hadn't had a panic attack in 16 years and she said it could be due to the fact that the parts of us that have been created to protect us for whatever reason, like panic, just need updating to where we are at now. That it's recycling old mental trauma that needs healing for whatever reason and that it's possible to heal those wounded parts and find relief from the overwhelming fear.

[mirai in reply to NoirLioness]

Sorry for the late response, the last few days have been hard (literally like every one of those days I found something that worked and then the next day it wasn't working anymore). That's a super interesting insight from your therapist and it makes so much sense! The last panic attacks I had a couple weeks ago brought up so many memories and feelings from my childhood. Things that I had blocked out of my mind for a really long time.

How are you today?

[wgator1508]

If your vegetarian make sure you have your B12 checked once or twice a year. B12 deficiency can cause many physical and mental issues. Most B12 comes from eating eggs, meat, fish. Also in US they still have normal range from 250 to 1200 but anything below 500 can start affecting some people.