Night panic

[sarap]

I woke up at 4am (went to bed at midnight) this morning gripped by the most awful, disabling panic. I can't remember having any dreams at all last night, so I don't think it was from having a nightmare. Took two and a half hours to get my breathing back to near normal then I dozed off for about an hour. Woke up feeling slightly better, but still very anxious. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this?

Please help. :(

[sarah]

Hi Sara

Sounds normal to me, i suffered from this for a bit although not for a while now. Used to wake up with terrible panic almost feeling unconcious so yeah i know what you mean. Best thing i used to do )and still do just in case)..keep a big bottle of water beside the bed and have a drink when you feel like this.

love Sarah

[sarap]

Thanks Sarah,

I will try having water by my bed tonight. It's very scary.....

Sara x

[sarah]

Sara

hope you get on alright, i know its scarey but i think the more i had them, the more i got used to it and eventually it went away. Dont try to fight it, just drink your water, lie down and think of nice things....a lovely sandy beach, what you would do if you won the lottery....anything to distract yourself.

love Sarah
xxx

[diana]

Hiya Sara,

This also sounds very "NORMAL" to me. I have had the same thing happen at times of being very anxious. It is hard to be waken out of your sleep with panic. It makes you feel uneasy, like there is something terribly wrong, and it takes a while to get your thoughts together. To understand what is going on, and know you are not having a bout with the grim reaper! Like Sarah suggests, keep water beside your bed. It also helps if you have a "RELAXATION" tape or CD readily available at your bedside, so that when you lie back down to rest you can listen to something soothing. I find that is easier for me at that time of being waken out of a sleep with panic, to reach for a CD or tape to get my mind off of things. Instead of relying on my own resources at that particular moment. Keep ya chin up won`t you. Think of nice, positive things. This too shall soon pass!!!!!

Diana xxxxx

[twister]

I wake up in the night with panic and shallow breathing quite a lot....

Emily

[Lottie32]

When I wake up, I put on my relaxation tape.

I've got no idea who it's by, it's a man with a nice northern voice, who starts by regulating your breathing then guiding you down some steps into a garden.

I've got no idea what happens after that, cos I'm always asleep!!!

Charlie

[diana]

Hiya Charlie,

That tape sounds great. Where did you get it? Do you know the name of it? Post and let us know, if you know!!! LOL.............

Diana xxx

[florence]

Hello Sarap ,
What you described is what I experience at the moment.I have to take sleeping pills to ease my tensions and fears at night. I am also starting a new treatment called Cipramil, I've had terrible side effects with venlafaxine so I had to stop it. I really hope to get back to normal soon 'cause its difficult to cope with being like this.
Take care.

[Lottie32]

Ok Diana

Will post the details tonight / tomorrow.

Don't think it was very expensive, and only came from local bookshop.


Charlie