Anxiety worse at night

[DominiqueA1024]

Im a single mom to special needs child and my days are tough. I suffer with anxiety throughout the day but the closer I get to bed time the worse it gets. I tend to get panic attacks when I'm trying to fall asleep. I get weird head sensations, chest pain, rapid heart beat, weak legs and tight muscles in the head and face. Why does my anxiety escalate at night? Im sick of this!

[blackcat64013]

Hi Dominique,

Anxiety gets worse at night because your brain is no longer distracted by events of the day which keep the worst of the symptoms of control.

My psychologist uses the analogy of a black dog on a leash. When on the leash, the dog is under control. As soon as the leash is removed, the dog can go where it likes. This is what happens with your brain cells.

Quality sleep is one of the most important activities you must get in 24 hours. You need to take some steps to get your night time sleep under control so that your brain repairs and prepares for the next day.

There are quite a few over the counter natural medications you can try to improve sleep. Guided meditation before bed might help and of course, there are the knock out medications.

I suggest you see your doctor for a mental health review and discuss the treatment plan that is likely to work for you. A psychologist can help you work through anxiety and panic attacks so be sure to include a few sessions of talking therapy in the treatment plan.

[DominiqueA1024 in reply to blackcat64013]

I notice when I have an attack I wake up the next morning feeling crappy and Sick. I'll look into the things you suggested 🙂 Thanks

[DominiqueA1024]

I do notice I don't get the attacks when I fall asleep watching tv, it's when I actually lay down and try to force myself to sleep

[DominiqueA1024]

I have a whole ton of shows I watch that are sitting on my Dvr lol

[Finglas-Boy]

I can relate. Following TBI Ive no regular sleep pattern. Plays havoc with any sense of control/normality to the day.