New to this group

[ukpete]

Hi, I have suffered with anxiety/ panic attacks and it stops me from sleeping,

This started about 10years ago. To be honest I have been great for the last year but last night it came back and I knew I was going to suffer, it’s been on my mind all day. I know when I go to bed soon I will have to get up, I normally put the lights on and watch anything on tv till the anxiety drifts away.

It doesn’t help that I’m up for work early tomorrow, this can last over a week in fact I have seen my GP in the past,

My life is good, family friends good job no financial issues, To the outsider I am lucky, but when the anxiety kicks in I feel so bad helpless and afraid,

Think I just need a shoulder to cry on, don’t think my wife understands how I feel.

Hope someone is out there to have a chat

Regards

Pete

[kenster1]

hi pete and welcome to the forum hopefully its just a blip but if it continues regular then you should have a chat with our gp.i don't read books because I loss concentration but tv before bed probably distracts you from getting back to sleep or so I heard.maybe even just sit and have a drink of water and try to settle again.

[Amandapanda09]

Hi Pete,

I started dealing with increased anxiety after quitting smoking 10 months ago. I have definitely always had it but now I must learn to life live without that crutch. I know you have also quit. I luckily haven’t been dealing with insomnia since the beginning of my quit so I don’t have that as an anxiety symptom but I have plenty of them. I recently just heard about DARE by Barry McDonough. It’s a book and there are also Facebook support groups that are private and an app. It’s been very helpful for me so far. There is some things on there for dealing with insomnia related to anxiety and how to deal with anxiety in general. Might be useful for you. Best of luck!

[skidrew in reply to Amandapanda09]

For awhile I was having panic attacks in my sleep. Waking to intense sweating. It was horrible but was mostly due to situations and medications. I found that mindfulness and calming my mind helped.

[gatsbysimon]

Hi Pete:

I was always able to deal surf the Anxiety until it started affecting my sleep. Panic attacks and adrenaline all night long was my life. The good news is that there are all types of great coping skills out there now that can really help. For me, the Calm Ap has helped tremendously as well as learning to accept my anxiety as it comes without trying to fight it or panic over it—no easy task. Therapy and a good anxiety med also help. Most important thing to remember is that you are loved, your not alone in this, and there is much joy awaiting you.

[ukpete]

I actually managed to get some sleep last night, when this happens the panic attacks usually get less and less, I think because I have been ok for over a year now I missed the warning signs that trigger it off, hopefully I will sleep tonight. The worst thing I find is when I am having this anxiety/panic attack and I am struggling to breathe, feeling hot, heart racing, I try and think of all the advice I have been given, ie breathing, meditation apps ect ect I actually think nothing can help me, obviously when it fades away it is like what am I doing!! I hope that now Ive slept it will go away, thanks for your comment