Fearful of night time

[Ellie05]

Hello,

I've been posting a lot here lately, mainly because it gives me a few minutes relief from the anxiety that currently consumes me. 

I fear getting through each part of the day - the period before I have to leave for work, travelling to work, getting through the day and then getting through the evening. But the most scary time for me is night time. I've been talking to my mum about it and she said, 'it must be horrible to be all alone in the dark, feeling horrible'. She really hit the nail on the head. Night time is when my anxiety really runs wild as I'm too tired to have any control over my thoughts and there's little stimulus to distract me. I get little sleep and spend most of the time pacing around the apartment trying to ease the anxiety, going back to bed, having the anxiety flare up again and so forth.

 It really sucks. That's all I have to say.

[pipsy]

Hi there.  You poor thing.  You sound as though you're really afraid of the dark, not silly, don't think that.  Have you thought about getting a night light or Rock-Salt light.  With the Rock-Salt, they are left 'on' 24/7.  If you switch them off, they 'melt'.  You could have maybe two, one in your lounge, one in your bedroom.  They also give out a 'warmth' that will help relax you.  In the summer, you don't notice the heat as they're not HOT, HOT.  It's a gentle relaxing warmth, that will help you sleep.  A night light, you can get led-lights which also give out an illumination, again, not enough to keep you awake, but if you wake, you wouldn't need the main light.  Once you start to relax, sleep will come.  Is your job quite stimulating, if that's the case, you need to 'unwind', the Rock-Salt is great for that.  My friend lost her husband of 42 years a few years ago, her kids bought her one, she swears by it.  Hope my suggestions help.  If not, keep posting.  Good luck.  

[Chicken_Wings]

Oh Ellie I know that feeling of being scared of your fear so well.
I feel that weight on my chest and immediately worry that I'm about to be forced back into that black corner and it immediately makes things worse.
If you know the trigger and can do something about it then I know for me thats made a real difference in the past.

My sleep issue is that I lay down and want to sleep but I just start twitching and fidgeting and just can't get past that to sleep. For the nights when it's the worst, have you considered talking to your GP about having something you can take just to relax you (not a sleeping tablet). I've found that if I can just get myself to stop shaking I can relax and get to sleep. You may find that something like that would just help you relax enough to get to sleep and hopefully stay like that.

[Bluey_moon]

Hi Elle, 

I don't live alone, but I do know what it is like to be afraid at night. When you are tired it is so much harder to deal with anxiety, in fact tiredness is one of my triggers! 

Do you like listening to music? Could you get hold of some mindfulness or relaxation CDs , that could talk you through the worst of the anxiety? 

I try breathing exercises, and often drift of to sleep doing that. 

Do you have a craft or hobby you like? Drawing, colouring in? I find those colour in books good! Also jump on here, or the online chat or even call beyond blue. Sometimes having someone to talk to is helpful! 

Skye

Is it the loss of the job and starting of a new job what has triggered the anxiety? 

[Ellie05]

Hi Bluey moon,

Thanks for your reply. The loss of my job triggered the anxiety but there were some underlying issues that I'd been ignoring for a long time (being focused on work mean't I could ignore these easier). I'm settling in slowly but am terrified of what might trigger a similar episode in the future.

[Bluey_moon]

Ellie, 

It takes time to control the anxiety, so in that time try be kind to yourself. You are doing great. 

Maybe take the time when you feel good to practice some skills to deal with the anxiety if/when it returns. 

Each day is a victory! 

Skye