Feeling Anxious. I Think?

[PharmTech25]

So I just joined this group, I’ve never been in a support group before. So I don’t really know what to say or do. So here it goes…

I’ve been having issues in the middle of the night where I wake up and my heart rate is through the roof. I don’t think I’m anxious while sleeping, but I don’t know what else it could be. Any ideas or thoughts? Has anyone else had these kinds of issues before?

Any advice or insight would be much appreciated.

[Hb2003]

yep i have sometimes i have them because of bad vivid dreams and nightmares

[PharmTech25 in reply to Hb2003]

Do you usually remember your dreams? Cause I don’t. I just wake up and my heart is pounding in my ears.

[Hb2003 in reply to PharmTech25]

not really unless they are very vivid

[Agora1]

Welcome PharmTech25 to a great support forum.

Unfortunately, anxiety doesn't take a break when we are sleeping.

The subconscious mind keeps reliving the events of the day as well as

the fears we have. It's most likely that you don't go into a REM sleep state

because of that.

It is because of these issues in that you wake up scared to death and the

heart reacts to that fear.

Adrenaline is always coursing through our body when we are overwhelmed

with anxiety (called free floating anxiety) As the early morning hours approach

our Cortisol levels rise adding to the panic effect.

I remember waking up in the middle of the night terrified, breathing heavy, heart racing

and sometimes feeling as if I couldn't breathe. Dangerous? No....Frightening? Yes

I found that listening to Meditation and doing Breathing exercises before bed can in time

allow you to sleep the night w/o waking up in fear. Listening to Meditation/Breathing upon

awakening can have a positive effect in allowing you to start the day on a positive note.

All this takes time for your subconscious mind to grasp. Learn from others as we share our

own journeys in living with anxiety and not just existing. I'm happy you are here. xx

[PharmTech25 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you very much. I’m happy that I’m here too. And thank you for your insight and advice. I’ll have to try some meditation techniques. Anything that can help me not feel like that anymore is worth giving a try.

[Agora1 in reply to PharmTech25]

My go to is YouTube where there are many helpful videos on Meditation and Breathing

techniques. It's a practice in retraining your brain. Listening to positive affirmations

and visual imagery for sleep can start the process in going forward and sleeping through

the night.

I was in a very anxious state many years ago. I've learned that there are many tools

and methods that can help us obtain back control of our lives.

There are many like myself who are now here on this site to pass our success forward.

You just took the first step tonight by joining our safe virtual family of friends xx

[designguy]

Welcome to the group, glad you joined. What you are describing is a common symptom of anxiety and even a panic attack so it could be that it is what you are experiencing. It could also be caused by physical things like sleep apnea, poor diet, hormone imbalance, thyroid issues and adrenal gland issues so it's worth getting the physical things checked out to make sure they are functioning properly and make sure they aren't causing or contributing to you sleeplessness/anxiety. You might also practice good sleep hygiene if your not already by not eating or snacking late, cut the screen time a few hours before bedtime, don't drink caffeine after noon, etc... which can help improve your sleep.