Nighttime anxiety

[lauren23]

Anybody get night time anxiety when you are laying down and just dropping off to sleep

[Randilynn]

This happens to me ... I get what I call body jolts or brain zaps. I have lavender oil next to my bed so when it happens I remind myself its just Anxiety put a little lavender oil on my pillow and do my best to go back to sleep

[Hidden]

Yes. That is one of the times we are most vulnerable to an anxiety attack, as we are not being distracted by the every day things that happen before sleep time. Your mind is free to wander the halls of fear. I find it useful for me to leave something on in the background so that I am still slightly distracted - in my case I use the tv. But you could use music or the radio for example - just loud enough for your brain to pick it up but not so loud that it stops you falling asleep. As usual with anxiety, it is all about distraction and finding methods of coping that suit the individual. I wish you well.

[lauren23 in reply to Hidden]

Thats what I use the tv I just lay there watching tv till I fall asleep lol sometimes panic attack wakes me up during the night thats scary I actually feel like I am dying

[Hidden in reply to lauren23]

I understand that this type of panic attack is particularly distressing given that you are thrust into it quite suddenly with no preamble or warning. I have come across this before with my own clients - I am a cbt therapist in my 'normal' life. Each time I have seen a client with this issue it is because there are additional problems working with the anxiety. The most common I think I mentioned before - sleep apnea. Another problem was related to breathing too , and often also seen in day time panic attacks - hyperventilation. Your breathing becomes too shallow, not creating sufficient levels of carbon dioxide and forcing you awake as various organs scream out. That is where the feelings of dying come in. The hyperventilation is the trigger for the panic attack. I dont know of course if any of that applies to your situation - there are just two examples I have come across in my working life.

[lauren23 in reply to Hidden]

I am anxious all day so when I do go to bed I just lay there anxious I bought some bachs rescue remedy the night time drops but they dont work much for me

[Hidden in reply to lauren23]

That kind of over the counter remedy will not do you much good. It is not designed for people like us who have a certain level of anxiety disorder. It probably wont do any harm either though. There are things you can do as you get into your bed time routine. For example, you might have a soak in the bath, using essential oils, to help relax, play some soothing music. Dont drink any stimulants like coffee or alcohol, rather drink a milky drink if you can, make sure your room is warm enough but also ventilated enough. All of that will help in some way to relax you for sleep. If you can, keep a diary of your sleeping pattern, and any panic attacks that happen during sleep. It will help determine triggers.

[lauren23 in reply to Hidden]

Sometimes anxiety is that bad I cant even get in the bath without panicing I was told to go for cbt therapy by the doc they dont wanna prescribe meds

because of my age but I have so many problems im not sure a therapist would want to hear about them all

[Hidden in reply to lauren23]

I can assure you that a therapist would not turn you away - unless they are not real therapists. No matter the size of the issue, I have never turned away someone who needs help. Depending on the nature of the problem and various other factors that need to be considered, therapy can last a few months or several years. As for medication, well I would only say yes to that if it was essential and only for a short time period. Medication does not solve the issue of anxiety - it disguises it. But I agree that some people need a short term medical intervention using medication to help get them settled enough to make use of therapy. The 'cure' for anxiety is not medication. The 'cure' lies within ourselves, and therapy is without question the most successful way to attain lasting relief. As I mentioned earlier, try to develop a routine for bedtime. The routine will help relax you.

[-Rinaaa]

My anxiety keeps me up, do you feel extremely restless?

[lauren23 in reply to -Rinaaa]

Yeah I feel really restless last night I was watching eastenders and my leg was just constantly moving it was like I had restless leg syndrome or something like that.

[-Rinaaa in reply to lauren23]

My right thumb always starts twitching a lot and my legs feel weak and like jelly. What other symptoms do you suffer with?

[lauren23 in reply to -Rinaaa]

Heres a list of symptoms I suffer with

Heart palpitations

Dizzyness

dry mouth, sweating

hot&cold hands and feet

shaking

legs feel like jelly

need to go to toilet

cannot sleep

ribcage tightness

chest tightness

hyperventilating

throat tightness

Feeling the need to escape

hands start shaking

what symptoms do you suffer with

[-Rinaaa in reply to lauren23]

yea, just about the same

[lauren23]

Are you from the uk

[lauren23 in reply to lauren23]

My names lauren im 23 years old and im from the uk and I have had anxiety attacks/panic attacks since I had my first child at 18