anxiety

[Jennychilt]

hi how do you guys cope with anxiety in the middle of the night

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello, in the past when I have had anxiety I’ve got up made a warm drink put my lamp on and played some relaxation music from the internet, I’ve also tried too take some deep breaths in and gradually let out , are you on any medication for anxiety ? xx

[Dinkie]

have you tried Unwind on TV in the wee small hours? I just make myself a warm drink and hug the dog. Sorry I can’t be of much help, it’s horrid isn’t it. I’ve yet to find a cure for insomnia that actually works.

[SHEPHER in reply to Dinkie]

Have you tried a low dosage of amitriptaline 20mg helped me

[SHEPHER in reply to SHEPHER]

It helps me to sleep

[Dinkie in reply to SHEPHER]

Unfortunately I can't tolerate any prescription meds - tried them all over the decades😕

[SHEPHER in reply to Dinkie]

I must admit I am having a terrible time on mine I take 150mg Sertraline and 20mg for sleep and nerve pain. Only benefit at the moment I am managing to get some sleep

[NaturalDyer]

I keep my radio on very low all night - used to have a talk station (LBC) but found it too stressful in the end and now I use a relaxing music station. I also keep my kindle nearby and read a bit if my mind just won't shut down - I have one that you can dim and put onto a warm light setting which is good for reading in the dark/low light. I make sure I have a 'happy' or low-angst book on the go.

[Juciy123]

I suffer with anxiety middle of night , go through phases . I have talk radio on /or relaxing music on sounds etc . I open my window and might sound silly but I have to feel cool air or hold something cold like a can of coke etc out fan on . I eventually go back to sleep . Then I am shattered in the morning and I have to get up for work at 6am . I do have fibromyalgia and premenopausal 🙄.

[Elaine200756 in reply to Juciy123]

I feel for you Juciy123. At least if I'm up all night I can sleep in the next day if I want to. I can't imagine having to get up and go to work 😔 Honestly, respect. You are truly a fibro warrior. Love Elaine xx 🙏💖

[Judithdalston]

I am fortunate not to consider myself an anxious person UNTIL a cardiologist, on the phone, decided I should change one of my 5 BP drugs ( for Long Covid symptoms) …Bendroflumethiazide caused very claustrophobic nightmares and I’d wake-up very anxious. Switched on table lamp, off to kitchen ( different room, and movement), and a snack ( apple and cheese) and tea, and tv in bed to take my mind off anxiety. I persevered for 3 weeks on this drug, which also gave me spinning vertigo, the dizziness soon went but the anxiety / claustrophobia remained for many months. I realised how bad it remained when in the New Year we had 3 one hour plus power cuts when it was dark outside…the pitch dark before candles lit was horrendous, and seemed illogical from how I had been before Bendroflumethiazide. Still have to sleep with lamp on, and for many years/ decades have slept with spoken word radio on anyway ( radio 4 / World Service).

[Al10]

If you are talking about having a panic attack, remember your adrenalin that drives the attack is finite. 20mins and it will have to subside. That doesn't mean you are done for good just the attacks are time limited. Hurrah for knowing that, I thought. For me, I figured I could survive that which would help in calming me down.

If you wake up heart racing, that could be just your heart racing on account of you had a dream or you need to wake up coz you need a wee or are too hot or need a drink or who knows? Maybe you need to go look at the stars? Best to figure the emergency and take appropriate action; take off a few blankies?🥵 that sort of thing?

Sometimes if I get up and go get some fresh air, my reward is a sky full of sparkling stars, even a shooting one? In the quiet of the night it's a good time to contemplate stuff. These days, if I was feeling anxious out of nowhere, I'd ask myself why. Maybe meditate on it? It's different asking, as opposed to churning about being anxious and wanting it to stop.

The other thing to remember as you are busy hating the feeling, is that other weird sorts pay actual money to get their pulses racing. They think it's exciting. Maybe you can think about the times when you did something exciting and fun and how you felt alive as your heart beat faster?

I wake up loads with my heart racing. It's normal now. It doesn't have to mean I'm anxious, though for the longest time I thought it did and suffered for it so I do sympathise.

[Elaine200756]

Hi Jenny, I'm sorry you are suffering with anxiety. I've suffered from anxiety and depression on and off all my life and was medicated from the age of 11.

If its during the night I get up, and like some of the others, I have a small snack and a drink. I wrap myself in a soft blanket and read, listen to music or podcasts, or binge watch my favourite shows. When I feel relaxed enough I go back to bed and if I don't immediately sleep at least I can relax.

Unfortunately, sometimes I'm up all night. But when that happens, the strange thing is, I feel better in the morning and even have more energy. It's like a reset. Don't understand.

If/when you get up, make sure you are warm enough or cool enough to be help you to be more able to relax. The soft blanket can be like a hug and comfort you. If you have pain, use your meds or hot water bottles or your usual way of dealing. If you are blessed enough to have a pet, love on her or him. Cats are particularly therapeutic with their comforting purrs.

I find essential oils help me, especially Lavander and Neroli. I put some drops on a tissue and put it close to me. Sometimes I read affirmations and other positive things. It will depend on how tired you are and any other symptoms. You might not have the wherewithall to do anything much. But if nothing else, grab that blanket 🤗 love and hugs, Elaine xx 💕