Restless and Frustrated

[Renee]

Hello All:

I am new to this, however I am reaching out. I have GAD and I suffer from panic attacks. For months now I havebeem having big trouble sleeping at night. Everytime I nod off, my body jerks awake as if I'm about to be smothered or can no longer breathe. My heart starts thumping as well. It's like my anxiety seems to be at it's worse at night leaving me sleepless many night. Does anyone have any tips they can offer me for a chance of a decent  night sleep?

[Lux]

Renee, it's amazing to hear you describe it that way, because I experience EXACTLY the same thing when I try to sleep.  It feels almost like I forgot to breathe and had to wake up in a panic.  Every time I nod off.  Takes me hours to get to sleep.

Beyond taking sleeping pills (or maybe just the OTC sleep aid that they have) I can't offer you much advice, but if I find a way to beat my bedtime freakouts, I will definitely post here.

[mairj]

Renee & Lux....you guys are not alone!!! I myself have felt the same before. The reason it is happening is because in the past both of you have gone to bed with an anxious state of mind as I did. We all went to bed in plain english NERVOUS. Okay so now you go to bed nervous and your forcing your body to relax....your forcing happy thoughts in your head but its not working.....this is all creating more anxiety for you. Finally after hours of restlessness and tossing and turning..panicking and floundering you fall asleep. I bet you probably woke up anxious...because you automatically thought about the previous night, so your already creating anxiety about later on that night when you have to go to bed. Now we go on with our day..we re tired because we didnt get a good night sleep, along with other anxious feelings, we are now consumed with our fatigue feelings and think something is wrong with us. When bedtime is approaching we begin to feel anxious again, why? because we are anticipating what happened the night before and over time you condition your body to feel that this is normal behavior before bedtime.....the thing is it is normal..our bodies are reacting normally..its just our minds are too focused on negative feelings...so the nervous system thinks its danger, meanwhile your only going to bed, not building the great wall of china by yourself. You have to get your mind in a better state before bed. Think to yourself...sleep time is good time its good for your body..put on a TV show ....not the  news..you dont want negative thoughts in your head from the nightly news...put on a cable channel that has old shows you may remember as a kid..I did this with Welcome back Kotter..LOL...it creates a comfort zone......I TiVo the whole season and I watch no matter what, but if I need it to relax me I know it s there.

Hope this helps
Joe

[Renee]

Joe,

I have to agree with you. You described my nights and days so well. I have to work on not going to bed dreading sleep. Thank you so much for all your insight, I needed it.