A fear of sleep

[Guest_36420082]

I am a 70 year old male diagnosed with heart failure 6 weeks ago,I am struggling to cope with it. I struggle to sleep at night because of it,have been in and out of hospital since the diagnosis due to the lack of sleep on average every third day.Woke 2am this morning like every morning with only two hours sleep and can’t go back to sleep. I have realised I am scared of closing my eyes ( the fear of not waking up). Is this normal. Can you get help to fix it before it gets beyond me.

[Guest_36690383]

I’m so sorry you are going through this. I struggle with anxiety also. I have had times in my life where my anxieties are valid—either something devastating really did just happen or the odds were good something awful was going to happen. I never know what to do when anxieties are completely valid and realistic. The only thing I have been able to come up with is distraction, and even that is difficult due to my tendency to ruminate. I feel like you deserve company and care and shouldn’t have to deal with this alone. Is there a way for you to stay with someone or have an extended stay at the hospital so they can monitor you and at least you aren’t alone? The times in my life where I have been suffering and alone have been the worst. I will continue to think of you and send you my empathy.