nightime anxiety
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nightime anxiety
| Sat, 10-28-2006 - 8:44pm |
When I go to bed at nightime I always have an anxiety attack. It gets so bad I have to get out of bed, I feel like I am suffocating, I start sweating and have shallow breathing. Does any one else do this?

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Got this from the Insomnia Board:
Amy
Hello, JR! We're so happy you found us. You are NOT alone. Those nighttime panic attacks are very scary. Once that fear gets a grip on us, it's difficult to shake it lose. I posted earlier in this thread how I cope with nighttime anxiety. Amy has given you alot of great info. Also, there's meditation, belly breathing & other relaxation info in our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. It IS possible to learn coping techniques that will get you through. It takes practice
Thx, Amy for posting this invaluable information.
If anyone wants too, they can click on the link in my Get Your ZZZZ's Community Challenge. I have been getting some new ideas in the daily e-mails. Good luck! (((hugs))) jan
Since the attacks have appeared since splitting with dh, I would think that therapy would be your best bet.
Sheri Ann
Hi! Just wanted to jump in here & welcome you to the board. I am very sorry to hear about your problems. Why you're having the panic attacks is a question we all have asked ourselves @ some time or another. Sadly, we rarely get an answer. For me, accepting the the fact that I have them, has helped me to re-focus & get some relief from the obssessive thinking.
I believe what some research supports, that we have a chemical imbalance which is triggered by stresses of illness, major life changes, losses such as death or traumatic situations. Many in our community post that their anxiety/panic became severe after they faced one or more of these situations. Some report being born worriers, but not all. There certainly is an emotional component to it. That is verified when people succeed in getting well with a combination of meds & therapy. It helped me.
For now, please don't think you are alone. There's lots of people with anxiety/panic. I have had the nighttime attacks so badly, that as soon as the sun went down & bedtime approached, I was a mess. I would get an awful pit in my stomach & get physically ill. To the point that like you, I was afraid to sleep. Lack of sleep just brought on more panic attacks. Once I was unable to sleep for 6 weeks. I was afraid to stay alone, so family & friends stayed with me. I couldn't shower, eat, walk or even see straight. It was a long road to recovery. I found that belly breathing practiced religiously became second nature & I was able to use it immediately upon awakening with an attack. Repeating positive affirmations & progressive relaxation also helped. I meditate daily. Reduce stress as much as I can. Eating well, exercising daily & following a sleep schedule keeps me in balance.
If you have time, check out our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. There are several pages, so be sure to click the MORE button. Join us in chats. We have one tonight. You CAN get better. You WILL move past this distressing time. Keep in touch. Good luck in your tests. GBU! (((hugs))) jan
I did my second sleep study last night and unlike the other where they diagnosed me with apnea,( and i thought i had a great sleep with no attacks). I had two panic attacks with the cpap, and the sleep technician told me i probobly slept a maximum of 3 hours. I was in bed at 10 pm and awoken at 5am...so yeah it was a bad night,,again.she said even though i might have gotten three hours of sleep it wasn't real sleeep i never hit a deep sleep..damn, i thought the cpap would help. anyways whats the answer i have no clue,,,Thank you for your response once again, and i will hope that your nights are filled with angels watching over you... I will continue to nose around this website it is the only one i have found that actually TALKS about our experiences.
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