Hard morning

I know I just posted last night but this morning is even worse. My anxiety is totally amped which amps my health anxiety. I am trying to keep thoughts in check but my body is putting up a huge argument. The lightheadedness, overbreathing, stomach churning and pounding heart is making me crazy. I woke up this morning to go the bathroom and laid back down only to feel my heart pounding against the bed. I clinch and grind my teeth, sometimes not realizing it which has caused ear, face and jaw pain which makes me think heart problem. A couple of nights ago, my boyfriend put his arms around me during the night which normally I settle against him and put my hand on his arm. Instead I was jerking my hands and feet because I was fighting someone that was attacking me in this dream. He finally woke me up because I was thrashing so much he was worried. This extreme anxiety has happened since then. I can't control my thoughts in my sleep. What do you do????

[Indigojoe]

What I have learned to do, is to be honest about what I am thinking about when this happens. The physical feelings come AFTER the thoughts.

SO true to "my" nature, I will suggest that you get a pen and a tablet and write down what is really bothering you....................

[Meredyn]

I'm also going through some very severe stuff right now, and my CPN called around today as I was in crisis. I was literally locked in spasms of anxiety with clenched jaws, grinding teeth - exactly as you describe. So she did a little grounding exercise with me which really helped.

Look around you - what can you see? Describe it in your head or even out loud in as much detail as you can - if you're sitting on a chair or laying on the bed, how does it feel? Are the covers soft, can you feel the arms of the chair? What colour are the walls? What sounds can you hear? Can you hear traffic outside? A clock ticking? This gets you outside of your own body sensations.

It seems silly, but it really does work. We become so inside ourselves with anxiety that the world otherwise ceases to exist and all we can feel is our inner tension and all the bodily sensations that anxiety throws at us. Please know that you're not alone - we all experience this. It is quite simply our over sensitised nerves playing tricks on us yet again - it cannot hurt or kill us.

Take care - and I hope this helps a little. xxxx

[Agora1 in reply to Meredyn]

Meredyn, thanks for sharing "grounding" it is an excellent way in getting back to the moment. xx

[Hidden in reply to Meredyn]

Thank you! I'll give it a try!