Panic attacks affecting sleep

[Rorooo]

Hi guys,

I'll start by introducing myself. I'm 32 years old and have had some mild anxiety issues in the past, and one severe period in my early 20s where I was put on anti depressants when suffering severe panic attacks after a car accident which was the last event in a period of me doing things I wasn't particularly happy about.

Over the last few years I've been really happy and haven't had any issues with anxiety or depression at all. Late last year was interesting for me. I've been working in a corporate environment for a long time and in December I had a bit of a "mind awakening" where I realised I wanted to do something more with my life and was sick of being in the corporate grind, so I made a decision to resign from my job of 6 years and take some time off doing uber driving and looking for something part time that was semi in line with my passions.

I ended up having a really good summer spending it with friends and being at the beach a lot but I quickly realised I had blown through too much money and was getting into debt quickly, a financial pattern that hasn't seemed to get better much in my life. Towards the end I realised I was almost behind on rent so I had to ask some people for money to help and did it behind my partners back to spare him the stress of it all. I took on too much and I think I'm feeling it all now.

After the initial period of worry about money, I started to feel better when I had borrowed money and paid off all of the debts that were hounding at me, so now there is nothing immediate requiring payment just the usual things. I've just managed to secure 3 more months at the temp job I'm at which made me feel momentarily better but now I seem to be stuck in a pattern of waking up every night at about 2am experiencing quite severe panic attacks and not being able to go back to sleep at all. I'm feeling quite tired and needing to have a nap during the days and just trying to get this sleep and panic / anxiety situation under control.

I guess I just wanted to share my story for now but there's obviously a lot more to explain which I think I'll do soon, by making a psychologist appointment.

Does anyone have any advice or has anyone experienced anything similar? Feel free to ask any questions if it may help. I'm just feeling better getting it out and feel like I'm on the mend just very slowly.

Thanks 🙂

[B_Murf]

hi Rorooo,

ohhh yeah I've had that feeling, even when my finances weren't in that bad of state I would lay a wake at night just thinking about debt and what if scenarios. One of the things I learnt is that I wasn't cut out for having large debts.

The good news is you've got over problems before so I'm sure you can do it again!

Not physiological advice but I've found organising finances and having a clear financial plan helps a lot. I'm a person who can't have debt and needs to have some savings to feel at ease. A lot of people aren't like this and are happy to be in debt provided they have the means to pay it off. Neither is right or wrong you just need to find what works for you.

I know a lot of people struggle moving off a higher paid corporate salary to a lessor salary. I herd it called golden handcuffs as people feel trapped in the job by their debts. Unfortunately with less income you need to reduce your expenses.

It's personal so need to share but why did you keep it from your partner? will it make life difficult with him/her not knowing? Even if you don't want their help it might make it easier for you if they're atleast aware you a little bit tight for cash.

One of the things I learnt is that I wasn't cut out for having large debts.

[AnxSam]

Hi Roroo

im currently experiencing something very similar to you too, I've posted my story on another thread but to explain

i'm in the process of resigning from my current work which I've had for 2 years now as it's become a toxic environment to be in, with abusive customers, managers who give no support and me having no passion for that role. in short this job literally have me sleepless nights, anxiety attacks and a very bad outlook on life which lead me to see a psychologist.

So decided to resign in a couple months time and travel with my partner so basically I'm working just to save!

Youre not alone in these situations and there are plenty more like you and I out there

best advice or anything I can offer is I commend you for doing something you love and enjoying the summer and spending it time with friends. It's always tough when we get ourself in tough situations like debt but I'm glad you have extended your part time work!!

Knowing I need to going back to an office were support is limited, I struggle do understand my work!! Which has thrown me off for a long time now!

[RobbieP]

Hey rorooo,

Im 20 years old and in the ADF, I have suffer from PTSD, anxiety and depression.

Its a tough thing mate and sometimes you get really over it and feel completely done! But what I have learned from my still reoccuring panic attacks throughout the night is I used relaxation before bed and some ways during my episodes of painic attacks this includes below,

During the night and you wake up and having a panic I used to turn on all the lights and pace or even do something practical with my hands, this stimulates the brain to bring you back to a good state.

Before bed get a app called insight timer, this is all relaxation, and there is thousands of relaxation techniques you can use! I used to focus on any tension before I went to bed to so my brain would be as comfortable as it could be before I slept.

If all this doesn't work it never hurts to see a health professional (: never be embarrassed and always turn your focus onto good things in the future.

Take care mate everyone here at BB are here for you

[Rorooo]

B Murf said:

hi Rorooo,

ohhh yeah I've had that feeling, even when my finances weren't in that bad of state I would lay a wake at night just thinking about debt and what if scenarios. One of the things I learnt is that I wasn't cut out for having large debts.

The good news is you've got over problems before so I'm sure you can do it again!

Not physiological advice but I've found organising finances and having a clear financial plan helps a lot. I'm a person who can't have debt and needs to have some savings to feel at ease. A lot of people aren't like this and are happy to be in debt provided they have the means to pay it off. Neither is right or wrong you just need to find what works for you.

I know a lot of people struggle moving off a higher paid corporate salary to a lessor salary. I herd it called golden handcuffs as people feel trapped in the job by their debts. Unfortunately with less income you need to reduce your expenses.

It's personal so need to share but why did you keep it from your partner? will it make life difficult with him/her not knowing? Even if you don't want their help it might make it easier for you if they're atleast aware you a little bit tight for cash.

One of the things I learnt is that I wasn't cut out for having large debts.

Hi B! Firstly, apologies that I didn't reply promptly to you, or thank you for the kind words you provided. I'm not really sure what occurred soon after these posts, but I do know that I pulled myself right out of that situation, and it took a while, but I got there (sort of).

I stayed at the temp job - and managed to secure a role at a not for profit medical company that has been a very integral part of my recovery.

To answer your question - I don't really know fully why I kept it from my partner. Well actually, I probably do...

My partner was a very emotionally unstable person. I don't know if I've even used that term incorrectly - but essentially my partner was struggling very largely with a lot in life, and I was very much a carer of sorts. I tried so very much to help him with confidence, and taking life head on, when he felt he couldn't. He couldn't connect with anyone on anything beyond surface level stuff- including me.

The relationship wasn't good, in that he cheated on me five years ago - and from then until now, I don't know if I was coping, or just coexisting. I'll continue in response to other posts. Thank you for the very kind words you shared.

[Rorooo]

Hi AnxSam. Thank you for your response - it really did help me get some perspective and realise that I'm not alone in the debt/toxic environment cycle.

I really hope you have found some clarity around your work, and have been able to further understand it. I also hope your travels with your partner have been fun and inspiring!

I have made a lot of progress since my initial post, but I'm now in a situation where I need some support.

I ended my relationship in January. It has just reached the 10 year mark in december. I realised I had checked myself out of that scenario shortly before I made my initial post. I couldn't do it anymore - and I think that was the reason I hid a lot of things from my partner. He knew what he was doing to me - what we were doing to each other, but essentially I just had to reclaim my life. I had to reclaim my sense of worth - in that I was not receiving any form of intimacy from him - and essentially he was trying to keep me held at home, and would attempt to demonise my attempts at connecting with people. Time spent away from him equalled him advising he was bored, and missed me, and why would I not spend time with him, yet when I came home - he would just be happy I was there and continue on with his stuff.

I would need massages sometimes - but I was scared to ask. If I did, it would be met with a groan, and a whine about his hands being sore. We never kissed, like made out, we just pecked. There were hugs, there were mindless hours spent watching irrelevant TV shows and laughing at nothing. There was no intimacy.

It took me a long time but I gathered the strength to end it - and it was extraordinarily hard, but it was important.

Now I think I need support in going through some of these intimacy problems. I'm feeling really good. I sleep well (I don't have any issues sleeping, but I haven't been going to bed early enough and it's catching up with me) - and I'm feeling very strong and happy, but, the ending of the relationship is hitting me now. It's been 6 weeks and now I just feel anger and I miss him. I miss his good side.

I'm a bit confused, and I thought I needed closure or acknowledgement of what we had, but I definitely received that before the breakup. He never failed to thank me and show appreciation for the help I tried to give him to reclaim his life. As hard as it was - I stayed, because I love him and wanted to help him succeed. I think the only way I could do that was to set him free...