New to Forum - Recent Rise In Anxiety & Sleep Problems

[JCSoldier]

Hello,
I had a bought of anxiety about 10 years ago that manifested first in panic attacks when trying to sleep. Every time I laid down I felt I had to get up. Kind of claustrophobic. That turned into mild depression. I went to a sleep clinic where they explained how the anxiety was causing the issue. I attacked it full on by minimizing stress, following good sleep hygeine, exercise, diet, prayer and a supportive family. A kick start of 3 nights of ambium helped as well.

I overcame that and was fine for about 5 years. My wife took a job out of state and I was home with our son. Even though she traveled home every other week, the stress built up and the same issue returned. This time I recognized it. It helped knowing the issue was due to anxiety, etc but it was real none the less. I did get some Clonzipan and ambium from my doctor but used them very sparingly. She returned home and I worked on returning to normal, which I did.

This December my Mother passed away. thought I dealt with the loss well but it appears that's not the case. 3 or so weeks after her passing my sleep anxiety has returned. It was followed by light anxiety.

I have been through this before but it still.... well.... sucks!

For the past week or so I've been taking clonzipan or ambium (very low dosage) when I can't sleep and feel anxoius. The last 2 nights I felt ok and slept great without it. Today I felt better than ever. However, as soon as I laid down, bam, there it is. So here I am typing instead of sleeping.

I have a slight cold, drainage, etc and it seems these symptoms get exagerated when I'm like this. I feel like I can't relax and breath normal when I lay down. I know it's the anxiety and what I've been through with my Mom.

I hate feeling this way. It's mild but affecting the quality of my life none the less.

Any suggestions?

[coachchris]

Hi JC,

This is Coach Chris from the coaching team here at Stress. Thank you for your post and sorry for your recent loss.

I was wondering if you have the program and if so I would try and use the relaxation cd at night before you go to bed as well as twice during the day. I would also have positive selftalk regarding sleep written out and be reading it throughout the day and especially before bedtime.

We are thinkers and we have sensitive bodies so as we learn to manage our thoughts and direct them we have the great power to think better and feel better. I use prayer a lot at night too along with having an image in my mind I can focus on or one word that will keep my mind from wondering. This takes practice as you well know. Be patient with yourself.

Be sure also to be drinking adequate amounts of water during the day, getting exercise in and having a good evening routine. One of the biggest things to remember is to not beat yourself during this process of growth. Of course we all experience stress and those added stress hormones. We learn how to grow through that and get stronger because of it. Focus on the positives and celebrate the good. Under-react...always under-react.

I look forward to your reply,

We are here to help.
Coach Chris StressCenter.com

[JCSoldier]

Chris,
Thanks for your response and for your kind words. I do not have the program. Can't afford it at this time.

It's the oddest thing when this happens (like again tonight). I can go to bed feeling fine.. no anxiety. Then if I can't sleep (not sleepy) my mind starts racing, thoughts come into mind and I make myself anxious. I try to control my thoughts but it's just not working yet.

I'll try your suggestions. Especially having a good evening routine.

Would love to learn more about the things you mentioned. i.e "positive self talk regarding sleep, reading it throughout the day, one word to focus on etc".

Thanks again.

Jeff

[tina martin]

You might try finding Lucinda Bassett's book at a bookstore. It is a good reference. I don't do well with CD's, so need books. Learned from reading that there is a sleep center in our brain. We can try and help it develop to be more effective for us. Takes patience and perhaps some trial and error. It is my belief that medication works against our natural abilities. Believe you would agree because you keep it light.

You might try warm milk before bed and simply looking forward to leaving your cares at the door to your bedroom. I give my persistent ones to my subconscious, if necessary, and sometimes I even wake up with fine solutions. I also meditate am and pm. During that time I repeat positive mantras to myself. Watch diet, do yoga and walk every day. Positive self-talk is, in my view, a key aspect of the program and CBT generally. Perhaps this can help some. Wishing you the very best.

[JCSoldier]

Thank you Tina. I appreciate every word.

[tina martin]

You are very welcome. So, of course, I'll go on a touch more because I love sleep. Warm PJ's, blankets, pillows, cozy when it is freezing outdoors.

You may find your own way to relax and turn thoughts off. Sometimes our own discoveries are often the best. We welcome the surrender to what is nature's natural healing.

[JCSoldier]

So this is kind of odd and maybe hopeful. Monday afternoon & evening I was feeling a little more anxious than usual. Around 8:30 PM I asked my wife to pray with me and let me "let it out". I just felt like crying. So we went to a private room and began to pray and i immediately began crying. It came out so easy.

Afterwords I felt relieved and I admittedly decided to take a Clonazepam as an added measure. Within 30 minutes or so I felt so relaxed and cozy and I had no anxiety. I slept like a baby. The next day (Tuesday) I felt great and that night slept well.

Today, Wednesday, I was ok but had a little anxiety. I came home, went to dinner with the wife (our anniversary!) and after we came home I went to my private room to pray and "let it out" again. Well, it came out easy but not as intense, which is OK. I felt great afterword.

Later on we went to bed and cuddled and I felt totally relaxed and normal and we "celebrated" or anniversary some more. After, when I tried going to sleep I began feeling a little anxious. Decided to take Clonazepam and sit up for a while till I calm down.

I went to my private room to try to let it out again (the relief is wonderful - now i get why woman cry!) but it just wasn't in me.

I'm wondering if the adrenaline produced during our evening "celebration" triggered my anxiety?

I know this will get better, as it is starting to, but when it flares up, it feels like day 1. Now it's 12:12AM and I should be asleep but I'm typing.

So, any thoughts on my adrenaline concept? Please don't say something just to make me feel better. Looking for reel life experience and solutions.

Thanks in advance.

[ile]

Hello to the people here in the Forum...my problem started with generalized anxiety and now since six month ago I have developed such scary thought about not been able to sleep or sleep anxiety....it all started soon after my father in law passed that I some times have this crazy thought that I feel that he some how put a spell on my sleep...I know this is crazy....but most of the time is that when I go to sleep I have found a way to disturb my sleep and so I do it till I get so anxious and scared about not sleeping that I can't sleep...

Lately with patience, determination and this Program I have been doing better but last night I had a big set back....I went to bed late and started having all these scary thoughts about not sleeping and the more I tried to calm me down the less I was able to do it so here I am again back to sleep anxiety and me disrupting my own sleep...

Normally I was sleeping fine and for 8 hours but wow since I learned that I can disrupt my sleep I have had a hard time relaxing and allowing the normal sleeping to take place it is like I have to take control of that too....and everybody knows that for a good sleep you have to trust the motions and let yourself go....

Please anybody help! what to do with set backs?