early morning sweats

why wake early and sweat for three hours and panic yourself awake just as you drop off? Is this an anxiety condition.?

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Hi. shamus. Yes, it is. A classic symptom. I think you came on site a few days ago. Have you seen your GP? Mild tranquilisers can help, but only your GP can advise on this. Waking up in a 'cold sweat' is so common that it is experienced by almost every anxiety sufferer. You add Fear to Fear and so prolong the 'attack'. When this happens try saying to yourself, "Well, here you are again. I am not going to be upset by you as you have no power other than what I give you". This replaces one thought with a more productive one. It may not be of immediate help but if you also accompany this with total ACCEPTANCE of the way you feel you may be surprised at the outcome. Not easy but it can be done. This will not always be with you.

You will look back on this with the knowledge that you CAN overcome. Good luck and best wishes. jonathan.

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Jonathan, as always, thank you for your words, yes my GP gave me lorazepam but only to use after a bad day, and truth being told, I'm scared to use it as I'm waiting for the worst bad day still to come? I'm only five days in to sertraline and was told it would get worse before it gets better. See how anxiety traps us in to descion fears, this is mad.

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You are ANTICIPATING!. The bad day may well have BEEN. These antidepressants take time to 'click in' so do not get anxious because they do not appear to be working. Who told you that? It does not necessarily have to get worse before it gets better. Sounds like one of those pearls of wisdom we hear on occasions. (See blog. Remarks from professionals). You use the right words; you are 'trapped' into making decisions because you feel the way you do. This is not unusual. Indecision is another symptom of this illness. Let us know how you get on with the tablets. Very best wishes. jonathan.