Anxiety problems
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Anxiety problems
| Sun, 12-10-2006 - 3:56pm |
I have a lot of problems with anxiety, and I'm having trouble dealing with it, especially at night. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety a few years ago, and I've tried all different kinds of anti-depressant medication. It would work for a few months, and then it would stop working so well, and I'd have to switch to a different kind of medication. I'm currently trying things medication-free, but the anxiety is just overwhelming. I can't fall asleep, and I have to use sleeping pills a lot. I don't even know sometimes what exactly I'm anxious about - it's just this awful feeling of something wrong. I can't even accurately describe it. Does anyone have any advice for me on dealing with this weird, senseless anxiety at night?

Hello & welcome! Sleep is difficult when anxiety is present. I am sorry that you just missed our iVillage sleep challenge. The sleep experts gave us alot of great advice. Here's some things that you can do: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhpanic&msg=18865.1&x=y
I have had spells of severe anxiety in the past. Much as you have described, the feeling that something awful was about to happen would begin as soon as the sun went down. I was simply afraid to sleep. I began taking a warm bath, avoiding arguments, conflicts, intense tv shows & would drink a cup of chamomile tea. Listening to cd's of chanting monks, meditation & light reading helped. I also have an alarm clock with nature sounds & used the ocean setting to nod off. I did take klonopin in the past, but never sleeping pills.
Please feel free to read through our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. Reduce your daytime stress as much as you can & get plenty of exercise to burn off the anxiety. You Can get better. You Will learn to cope with this. I know it seems impossible now, but we have all faced the fear & are winning the battle. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan
Sheri Ann