Dear Ashlou
Hello and welcome to Beyond Blue. I can understand how exhausting it must be to constantly wake up as you start to drift off. Has your doctor considered this may also be a physical problem? Just a thought. I wonder if sleeping propped up a little would help. I went through a phase similar to yours recently and found it a great help to use pillows to prop myself up. I got off to sleep more easily and did not wake so often during the night.
I think it was because when we are anxious the chest gets tight and we find it more difficult to breathe. Lying down flat adds to this difficult because we also have the weight of the body pressing on the chest. So being propped up relieves this pressure to some extent, although does not get rid of the anxiety, but does remove further pressure on your breathing. Just a thought.
It's great you are going to see your GP. This is always a good first step. Panic attacks, such as you describe, are very scary. Just as you describe the feelings sweep across you like waves and you feel terrified, though for no particular reason. I have several times recommended a small book about anxiety. It's called Living with IT by Bev Aisbett. IT is anxiety. The book is a thin paperback that would take and hour at most to read. The writer has a sense of humour which helps, although this is not intended to make light of the topic.
She has some great illustrations about IT and ideas how to manage things like panic attacks. Anxiety is a serious problem and can really mess up your life, so you are wise to get some help. Have a look at the book. It's written in a humorous way but with a serious message.
I hope all goes well with your appointment tomorrow. Would love to know the outcome.
Mary
