Sleep problems

[Bigtony]

Hey guys, I have a bit of an issue I can’t seem to find anywhere when I look on the internet, before I speak about it I understand a lot of people have sleep anxiety where they can’t sleep, but mines a bit different. Around 1 year ago this problem started where i got bad anxiety from drinking energy drinks and I tried to go to sleep at 4 am and I couldn’t I just laid there with bad anxiety, it didn’t happen every night after that but eventually it became a constant thing, (That was a one time thing with the energy drinks, I don’t drink energy drinks or coffee or do drugs) but after that I got a weird habit stuck in my brain where it I stayed up till 4 am or later I’d lay there having panic attacks not being able to sleep, and this was 100% of the time if I stayed up that late, if I went to sleep at 3 am or earlier I am fine no anxiety, but over time my sleep has gotten worse now I don’t like to stay up past 1 am, I can’t go out with friends because staying out late scares me incase I don’t make it home in time for my sleep schedule, but yes basically the sleep anxiety only exists if I stay up past my sleep boundary and I will have panic attacks all night until I realise I should stop trying to sleep, any suggestions? It sucks but it’s not the worst thing as long as I avoid staying up late

[blondguy]

Hello Bigtony

Welcome to the forums and good on you for having the courage to post too!

I understand where you are coming from Tony. You are not on your own here. Sleep anxiety is common especially after we are used to pushing the boundaries.I used to get panic attacks when I went to bed at a different time as well as cold sweats and the never ending tossing and turning....ugh!

Staying up late would be scary as you have had the early anxiety when going to bed and being unable to sleep

Can I ask how much sleep you get....say generally?.....5....6....hours?....also....do you have work or uni in the morning? (sorry Bigtony for the questions....just trying to support you more effectively!)

you are not alone

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Bigtony]

Hey. Thank you for the response, I’d say I get around 7-8 hours sleep which I think is quite good, yes I work but don’t really have work stress, although I’m always low energy and tired

[blondguy]

Hey BigTony

Thanks for posting back...7-8 hours a night is great. I get it about the 'time' and if you pass it the anxiety comes in which is major pain. Anxiety attacks are awful....They do reduce in severity over time which is good news! I used to get these attacks in traffic and at work every couple of days

Its only my opinion.....the 1am time that you feel better with can be a pain.....like you mentioned especially if you want to go out late and have time with friends you dont want to be restricted by the thought of being in bed

Do you get this anxiety (and yes its common Bigtony) during the day or just when you are going out? Anxiety is usually a sign that we have a tired mind or have too much on our plate or both. Low energy and feeling tired/fatigued is also common with low level anxiety. You are getting good hours of sleep which is great

Its also good that you have little or no work stress too. You are proactive with your health by posting with us

Here is a copy & paste link for you to get an idea of your anxiety levels....It is provided by Beyond Blue and can give you an indicator of any existing anxiety. The results are for your benefit and may help you a lot. You can even download the checklist and have a go at it offline. It is provided as a basic self assessment tool for you

www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety-and-depression-checklist-k10

I hope you can post back with any questions/comments.....if you want to 🙂

my best

Paul

[Bigtony]

Hey, yeah I get fine amounts of sleep its just the restriction that's annoying and was just curious why it happens and I did the test and I got Your Score
46 (High)

[blondguy]

Hey Bigtony!

Thanks heaps for posting back!......and for saying you got 'My score':-)

At the risk of asking another question if thats okay....(you will never be judged on the forums..only supported) I understand the restriction as I used to have the same in meetings at work and it was a pain

How many times a week do you go out? The reason I ask is our 'system' will remind (anxiety) us if we are pushing our boundaries

Anxiety can be awful....If you go out and you go past 1am what does the anxiety feel like? Do you experience having a tight chest and/or shortness of breath....or feeling dizzy at all.....a rapid heartbeat type of feeling?

I think you are strong and amazing person Bigtony...seriously.

you are not alone

Paul