Is anyone awake? trouble staying asleep

[dizzychar]

most nights I’m waking up multiple times, sometimes I’m waking up in such a state, woke up at 4 panicking, tried breathing exercises but just made me worse, I ended up getting up splashing some water on my face and making a warm drink, my mouths so dry, I’ve started to hate night times I’m so scared constantly, sat here waiting for daylight I’m so on edge

[heartmatters1]

Sorry to hear you’re going through this, but you’re not alone. I can definitely relate to this. I am the world’s worst worrier 😵‍💫, if there was a prize for it I would win it! The nights are definitely the worst for me too. I lie there thinking of the worse case scenarios. I suffer with terrible health anxiety.

I have been having therapy sessions, which are starting to help (I think). Also GP has put me on an anxiety/depression med. I have only been on them for a few days, but I have slept better already 🤞.

I do hope you feel calmer soon. As an old friend said to me “it’s only a game”

Best wishes 🤗

[dizzychar in reply to heartmatters1]

Thank you it’s so draining isn’t it, I started meds before Christmas and they have helped a little but not a lot and not made a difference to me at all at night time unfortunately, yes I also suffer health anxiety so during the middle of the night it’s a real struggle my head likes to play games, I’m exhausted with it but so on edge, I think I need to retry therapy, I did cbt quite some years ago

[heartmatters1 in reply to dizzychar]

Have you tried Mirtazapine? Help with sleeping.

[dizzychar in reply to heartmatters1]

No I havnt the only thing im on is sertraline

[heartmatters1 in reply to dizzychar]

Sertralne did nothing for me. Maybe ask your GP if you could try Mirtazapine, especially if you are having trouble sleeping/relaxing at night, as they advise to take at night.

Good luck.

[blackcat64013]

Hi,From my experience, two "bad" nights are just about manageable.

Unfortunately, they kept coming for me so I take Mirtazapine at night for its sedating affect and no daytime issues.

If you prefer a non drug approach, visit a pharmacy for a sleep aide. 😴 There are plenty to choose from.

[BeagleHeart]

I'm dealing with something that sounds pretty much the same. Feel free to message me. I loathe waking up in the night alone. Never before was I ever like this, I believe it's becuase of a more recent trauma and unresolved issues from childhood, but I don't know and I'm not getting much help from my therapist. Most often I wake up in a state of sheer panic as though it we're an explosion that woke me. Struggling with this for nearly two years now.

[Jameshuh]

Hi dizzychar breathing exercise are not helpful if you are in a state of panic but there is something you can do to stop it. See Dr Harry Barry's tips on stopping panic drharrybarry.com/resources/ also you can do breathing exercises when you have anxiety and stress (but are not panicked) they will work to calm you down then. Breathing exercises if you do them often enough when you are feeling better will make you more stress resilient as it helps your brain get into a calm mode more easily.

[dizzychar in reply to Jameshuh]

Thank you il give it a go