night panic attacks

starrr123 · Post by **starrr123** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:40 am

I am having panic attack when i wake up during they night and i do not know how to stop it because i am sleep.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:39 am

I woke up and had a panic attack the other day too. I started this program a couple years ago, but I didn't keep up with it. I'm starting it all over again this week because of the panic attack I had on Sunday morning at 3 am.

I know how it is to wake up in a panic. I just hold my cat and cry. I don't even try to wake up my fiance cause i don't want to be rude. My solution was to listen to the CD for lesson 1 and write in my journal. Also, listening to the Relaxation CD helps me to breath and focus.

I need someone to talk to usually so I'll look for your posts and you can look for mine

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:33 am

I try not to wake up my mother but i do sometimes becuase it feels so bad feel like somethings going to happen to me. the breathing exercise helps sometimes but i want it to go away forever.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:36 am

We can experience anxiety attacks from thoughts, feelings and dreams - even if we don't remember those dreams. Have a soothing tape nearby and start it up to help calm you. Focus on your breathing. In, hold for four, and out, slowly. Over and Over again. Quietly soothe yourself and tell yourself that you are safe - even while feeling anxiety. (You are safe. It won't hurt you.) Continue with your breath and if you are using Lucinda or Carolyn's cd follow the prompts. Listen to this cd over and over again and keep your mind out of your head as best you can. You do this by bringing yourself back to your breath.

Other things you can do while staying in bed are:

Count backwards starting from 100 - slowly.
Do your multiplication tables starting with the 9's - slowly.
Tap your fingers on the mattress or pillow.
If you sleep alone you can kick your leg on the mattress gently to a beat.

The point is to keep out of your head as best you can. Your mind is always going to try to claim you, but just bring your attention back to your breath or to the simple exercises listed above.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 4:34 pm

I think I'll use some of those too!

Starrr123 - does your Mom get mad at you for waking her up or does she say it's OK? I hope she says it's OK and if you can wake her up, maybe she can help you walk through your relaxation step by step. I find it MUCH easier to relax when someone who loves me is telling me to. The morning after my panic attack a couple days ago (when my fiance woke up) he emphasized to me it's OK for me to wake him up so he can help me. He doesn't want me to feel scared and alone. I know you want them to stop forever, but I don't know if they ever will. DON'T TAKE MY WORD ON THAT! I'm in the same boat as you and I'm no expert. Maybe this program can cure us. I have yet to put forth the effort to make the change. I think I'm scared. But I have to try my best to make this stop. Sometimes it's just ridiculous how anxious and scared I get for no reason.

I hope your panic attacks stop and I hope these relaxation techniques work for the both of us!