Racing thoughts - paralized fear

[PeggDB]

For several weeks (months?) I wake up every night riddled with fear and anxiety. I can't stand it any longer. I have gone through the program with a coach but can't think of how to apply anything. I am about to crack up!!

[Guest]

Putting the skills into practice REALLY are the most difficult part. I can completely relate. You just really have to take small steps and not expect to get better all at once. Are you exercising? This can help a great deal, especially if you're waking up with this anxiety. Another lesson you may want to listen to is the one on change and secondary gains. There's got to be a reason why you're still experiencing the anxiety.

Try and not feel too discouraged, this is very normal.

[Guest]

The moment I saw the title of your post my heart began to race. The words "paralized fear" are the two exact words I used to describe to my mother how I was feeling when I was in the beginning stages of clinical depression 2 years ago. I understand the fear you are experiencing every night because I too, still have those nights sometimes. I could be sound asleep and then out of nowhere, I wake up as if someone shook me and before I know it I am sweating, trembling, and scared out of my mind.

Sometimes what I do to help me is to get out of bed, pace around for a little bit and try to stretch. If that doesn't work, I repeat over and over that I am okay, it's just in my mind, I am not in physical danger and that it will go away soon. Perhaps you can give some of these techniques a try?

If you don't mind me asking, are you in therapy at all?
I hope you can sleep soundly tonight.

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply. I am up again tonight but have been sleeping better of late. I am trying to write about the things I am fearful of that I can do something about.

I am not in therapy right now, although I have been in the past.