nocturnal anxiety attacks,or whatever???

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-31-2004
nocturnal anxiety attacks,or whatever???
4
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 10:52pm

Hi, I have a question for you please. Every so often for about as long as I can remember, I wake up on occasion with what I have always called a "help" attack. It usually occurs within the first 1 and 1/2 hours of going to sleep. I wake up suddenly and my heart is racing and I think that I have either just swallowed my tongue or a giant jawbreaker and I am choking and fighting for my last breath. The "dream/anxiety" is always the same. After a couple of minutes, I realize what has happened and I am fine and go back to sleep. I know I am an anxious person, but this is so strange. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what is it?

Thanks for your help!!

Sharon

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 04-05-2006 - 1:03am

Hi, Sharon. Nice to see you:) Having an anxiety/panic attack during the night is certainly possible. Do you have a/p during the daytime? Is this similiar to what you feel? We aren't professionals here & can't diagnose. Most of the members of our community were seen by their health care provider @ some point to get a confirmed diagnosis. There are other things that might cause what you are experiencing. Sleep apnea pops into my mind from some of the reading I have done. But, seeing your dr. is the best way to rule out any medical conditions & begin a treatment plan. I hope you will consider

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 04-05-2006 - 11:18am

Hi Sharon, that is an interesting question because I was thinking of posting something very similar this morning.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-31-2004
Wed, 04-05-2006 - 10:53pm

Thank you cl's for you warm welcomes. I really appreciate your kind and thoughtful words. I have been lurking here for years(great board), I have even been at chat a time or two, are your board names different than your chat names? Like most anxiety sufferers, I have been to many doctor's tried many ssris' etc, only to stop becuase of side effect worries. The best thing I ever did was to take a class given by "Dr. Fear", he is very famous out hear on the west coast, he has even been on Oprah a time or two. The mind body connection is big mystery!! It is good to read that someone else has experienced the sleep/anxiety. I am not really scared of it, since I have had it off/on for 30 years, it is just very strange!

Thanks again !

Sharon

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 04-05-2006 - 11:26pm
TYVM We appreciate your lurking. I haven't heard of Dr. Fear, but I'm not much of a daytime tv watcher. I used to do the evening chats & have always been ijanis51;) As far as I know, that is:) Stop into chats again if you can & share your wealth of knowledge. If you have any sources for Dr. Fear, please post them. Good luck! (((hugs))) jan