Stress Center Peer Support

I don't have a history of panic attacks, but last night I found myself in a state that I never want to be in again. I went to bed really tired, so I assumed I would fall right asleep. Wrong. I ended up tossing and turning in bed for hours with a nervous stomach and continual waves of intense anxiety. I've been feeling very overwhelmed with my problems, so I know that's where it came from. I felt like I would have to wake my parents up, but what could they really do? Worst of all, even though I reminded myself that panic attacks only last 15 minutes or so, it ended up stretching itself all the way into the next day. I felt shaky and out of breath and sick. The self-talk and breathing just isn't working this time. I'm afraid I'm really hurting my body. What I'm really scared of...is going to bed again tonight. I cannot go through that again. How can I make going to bed a less scary experience?

Well--
Just because you had one bad night, doesn't mean that tonight will be bad too.

I wouldn't focus on "oh no I can't do this again". That will keep you tensed up and shallow breathing.

Do your relaxation breathing and be a limp rag doll while you are laying in bed. When my husband can't sleep, he counts backward from 100 by 3's fairly slowly. His brain gets sleepy and scrambled and he just zonks. If you still can't sleep, get up and read a book or something until you feel sleepy. No use of laying in bed and fretting. When you feel sleepy, climb in again and shut your eyes and go to sleep.

I will say a prayer for you when I sign off. I pray that you have a restful night and that you don't obsess about this. Your body is keyed up for some reason and when you relax you will snooze.

Sweet dreams goodgrief504