Anxiety and insomnia

[Crash2088]

I've had anxiety and panic attacks for a very long time. My anxiety is mostly social, the panic attacks happen at work or in social situations usually. Lately, I've been waking in the middle of the night with my heart racing, and I can not relax enough to go back to sleep. I end up feeling so exhausted every day it's hard to focus. Anyone else dealing with this?

[blackcat64013]

Hi Crash2088,

I have been there myself until I worked through panic attacks with a clinical psychologist.

I found it so difficult at first but as the saying goes, "practice makes perfect".

The treatment was broken down into 5 parts:

1. Identifying the panic attack and managing negative thoughts.

2. Using breathing techniques to reduce symptoms. There are a few to choose from.

3. Trying relaxation techniques to calm down. Find one which works for you

4. Considering medications such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, or beta-blockers (My drug was mirtazapine, making use of it's sedative properties at night and not hung over next day)

5. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a type of psychotherapy.

You might be able to manage this on your own by research online but I couldn't so asked for professional help.

Just know you are not alone 🤗 and help is out there.

[Crash2088 in reply to blackcat64013]

I was doing therapy and on lexapro for a while. It did help but I had to stop when I got pregnant with my son. I am hesitant to go back on lexapro even though I have a prescription now for it. The nausea and stomach pain were pretty bad for the first few months I took it. I also started having this feeling that electricity was shooting through my head (it's apparently a side effect, they call it brain zaps). It made me feel like I was losing it. Thank you so much for replying and for your recommendations. I might ask my doctor about mirtazapine.

[JonW_Swan]

I get panic attacks when I have separation anxiety

[Crash2088 in reply to JonW_Swan]

I'm sorry you are going through that. Have you tried therapy at all? I honestly just sat there and cried through most of my sessions but somehow I did feel better when I was going.

[JonW_Swan in reply to Crash2088]

I do feel better going