Question about waking and having an anxiety attack

Be-Positive · Post by **Be-Positive** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:24 pm

At night, if you wake up with an anxiety attack, or wake up, and then have an anxiety attack, what is your favorite way to soothe yourself back to sleep?

Holly J · Post by **Holly J** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:59 pm

I wake up with anxiety often and have tried all sorts of ways to soothe it. Besides using the breathing techniques, I usually try to turn the TV in my room on or even leave it on with the volume very low. I then try to turn the channel to something very "boring" such as infomercials or the sounds of the weather channels. I try to concentrate on the show for a little while which is sometime enough to ease the anxiety and then I am usually relaxed enough to go back to sleep. Sounds silly I know, but sometimes whatever works is well worth it!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:06 pm

It doesn't sound silly to me, as you said whatever works!

I haven't found the right way to calm myself back down when I wake anxious, or with a panic attack. I'm looking for all sorts of examples, something has to work for me too.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:14 pm

When I have awakened in the middle of the night with anxiety/panic I always make myself a cup of hot herb Camamille tea...that and the 6 steps usually works for me.
I began session 10 today and have not had one of those frightening nite time wake-up calls for some time now.

Good luck to you all for a better life without this disorder.

Barbara U. Cherish

chadrukus · Post by **chadrukus** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:42 pm

Hello Be-Positive,
I like your name by the way. What works for me is to get quiet and still and just self-talk myself down to where I'm relaxed enough to go back to sleep or if it's morning to proceed with my day. Music helps. I like Journey but whatever will work. Sounds like A Silver had some good ideas that I might give a try. Like you both said, whatever works.

All my best,
Inside Man

David** · Post by David** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:56 pm

I haven't had a wake up call in awhile now, but when I did I would do deep breathing and self talk. I would also leave the lights on and hug a stuffed animal. It just kinda helps to calm me down.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:13 pm

I have often woke up with Panic Attacks I find what helps for me is to tell myself it is just a Panic Attack and it will go away when I am fully awake. That usually works for me

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:25 am

That is normally when I have some of my worst attacks, because I don't feel them coming on so I can't find fight them off. I've been known to sit outside in freezing weather to cool down if it's really bad. Generally I bring my bear I sleep with out to the living with me, sit in my rocking chair and rock with eyes closed just concentrating on breathing. I have a really hard time in hotel rooms with no rocking chair and nowhere to go to be by myself. Then I just try to quietly lay in bed or use some ice to cool off.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:51 am

These are WONDERFUL tools!!!!

I will use the STOP sign to get my attention (or I'll shout STOP in my head). Then I use the calm breath - usually its breathing in and holding for 4 and then breathing out slowly. Then I will start to count backwards from 100. Sometimes I will start at 20 and tap my finger or hand on the mattress as I am counting. When I reach the number 1 I will count forward to 20 and continue to do that until I begin to doze off again. I will sometimes put in the relaxation tape and listen to the voice and stay with my breath work. I also have a doll that I hold that represents my inner child. I have a rubber ball that I hold sometimes and keep my focus on it instead of my thoughts. Whatever it takes to get yourself out of your head will be helpful. It's good to have a plan.