Waking up Anxious in the middle of the night!

Frankie_Ryan · ‎13-07-2016

Hi! I'm completely new to all this forum and posting stuff. I've always had anxiety from when I can remember. I was on medication for a while then came off it and was good for 4-5 years. Recently living down stairs with my partner until we save for a house my stress and anxiety levels are through the roof. I'm currently going to acupuncture and taking a few herbs, I thought they were working but the last couple of nights I've been waking up very anxious like I've been woken up in a fright and then concentrating on the noise I can hear up stairs and letting that worry me and not let me go back to sleep. I started taking some pain killers to help me stay asleep but I think I have gone past that point. I have a lot going on with work and study and not having my own space or home but all I want to do is stay asleep and no worry about trying to get back to sleep.

blondguy · ‎13-07-2016

Hi Frankie Ryan

Welcome to the forums and thankyou for posting!

The waking up is usually a indicator that we are revving way too hard during the day. Too much on our mind so to speak.I used to do the same when my anxiety attacks were frequent. The trouble with waking up at a silly hour is we can end up exhausted during the day which then can invite additional anxiety and stress.

The housing arrangements can bring on anxiety as well as the busy schedule you have with work and study. I know that acupuncture can help somewhat but with your responsibilities I would be seeing my GP and letting him/her know that you are having sleep disturbances.

When we are 'over sensitised' we will wake up at silly hours as the brain is way too active.

It takes a lot of strength to post Frankie and well done to you! There are many kind people that can be here for you. It would be great if you could post back 🙂

Kind thoughts

Paul

PatT · ‎13-07-2016

Hi Frankie,

welcome to the forums and I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough period at the moment. My first advice would be to stop taking the painkillers. This is coming from somebody who had a long term addiction to them and getting off them was one of the hardest things Ive ever had to do. Psychical and psychological addiction can creep up surprisingly easily and before you know it you can be hooked. And withdrawals are awful. Imagine the sickest you've ever been then multiply that by 50 on the first day, 100 on the second and 200 on the third. Be careful.

I can relate to how you're feeling too. I've had insomnia since I was about 12 and it's such a massive pain that sometimes I consider going to any lengths to get a good night of sleep. Have you thought about going to a sleep clinic? They monitor your sleep overnight, analyse when you're sleeping worst and give you a program tailored to the data. Also, maybe getting back onto your meds could be a good idea seeing as you have a history of anxiety. I've been on antidepressants for 10 years and I know I need them to manage my anxiety.

But back on the sleep clinic idea - they can come up with heaps of different ways to help you manage your sleep patterns and tactics to get back to sleep. I personally wake up a lot throughout the night and I know I should probably book in with a sleep clinic but I've got a busy schedule and have just become used to living on minimal sleep. I think it could be a good idea for you though. Also, lots of people deal with poor sleep due to undiagnosed sleep apnea (where you stop breathing for a moment and wake up panicked). A sleep clinic can diagnose sleep related conditions like this.

Let me know if any of that sounded do-able to you. Hope you start feeling better soon,

Pat.

Melissa74 · ‎13-07-2016

I can sympathise. When my anxiety is bad I sleep for 3-4 hours then wake up with a panic attack and then no matter what mindfulness meditation I do I can't get back to sleep properly.

It is debilitating and I really feel for you.