Is this anxiety or attention seeking

[contrarymary]

Hi All

I am hoping someone has advice on how to cope with these events.

I go to bed as normal and about 1 hour later wake up feeling very agitated, with palpitations, shaky cant get back to sleep, pace up and down through the house and garden, then lie awake for hours getting up pacing up and down more, this happens about every 3 months might happen 2 nights in row. Its usually always about an hour after going to sleep eg if I go to bed about 10 it happens about 1130 GP says cant pinpoint problem had blood tests etc all ok, nearly every othet night i go yo bed at 10am and sleep through night. GP says anxiety and/or panic attack. Anyone got any suggestions on how to get back to sleep, happened last night woke up at 11pm after 1 hour sleep paced house for couple of hours ended up falling asleep about 4am. Not too much coffee or tea as suggested by GP as drink neithet

[geoff]

hello Mary, I wish I could give you a reason why this happens but I can't, however have you tried having the radio on, playing your favourite music or can you download the music you like to listen to and then let your mind only listen, but don't start thinking about any worries, because if you do then nothing will help you. Geoff.

[Blue_Jane]

Hi Mary

Lack of sleep makes everything so much worse. I have had many struggles with sleep over the years and here are a few of the things that now work for me:

- eat at least two hours before going to bed

- have a warm cup of milk with some turmeric (the powdered form is in the normal spices section of the supermarket) and honey

- stretch before going to bed

- have a warm bath before bed

- read a good book in bed so that you are distracted and not thinking about going to sleep

- if you wake up get out of bed and go and do something like the crossword as again it distracts you - don't stay in bed and get upset at being awake

Let me know how you go.

Blue Jane

[Jessicatherese94]

Hi contrarymary. You could try listening to a meditation on Youtube or reading one of your favourite books during one of these periods? I really like the app "Booster Buddy" to deal with anxiety. I'm not sure if you exercise but I find exercising during the day helps me sleep much easier. Do you have a regular psychologist you can talk to? Once a psychologist gets to know your situation they can usually give you the best advice to cope with your anxiety. There are also 24 hour hotlines and you could call someone to talk to, you could try Lifeline or here at Beyond Blue.

[contrarymary]

Thanks for the suggestions being some trying some of them, reading seems to work i usually wake up with the book beside me. I have music on a ipod now and put that on if cant sleep. Went back to GP and he me some sleeping pills if things get really bad i have not taken any and trying not to. Also i have noticed that if we go for a walk after dinner I am not so restless so here' hoping I can control the wakefullness and not let it control me

[Blue_Jane]

Great to hear. I think it is trial and error to find out what is going to suit your mind and body. I hope it continues to improve.