[Dwando]

I’ve struggled with anxiety and depression over the years, and recently it’s ramped up and thrown in panic attacks for good measure! Not sure why it’s worsened, though Covid-19 certainly hasn’t helped. I’m at the point now where I’m scared to go to sleep as I’m trying to avoid waking up suffocating in the grip of a nocturnal panic attack. I find the only way I can drop off is listening to a sleep hypnosis audio or similar, but sometimes that freaks me out waking up with someone talking in my ear! I used to get through my day, feel very tired, lay my head on the pillow and remember little else until the following morning. The only time I feel I could actually sleep at the moment is during the day. I also have hallucinatory type dreams when I am first dozing off., which are terrifying.

[Martin Reed]

Sorry to hear about your struggles with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. Let me reassure you that you haven’t forgotten how to sleep! We never lose the ability to sleep — when we have been awake for long enough, we will sleep.

If we have a lot of worry about sleep, are feeling anxious, stressed, etc, we might need to build more sleep pressure to overpower the arousal system and generate sleep — and this is why it can become harder to fall asleep and harder to stay asleep. However, we’ll always get (at the very least) the bare minimum amount of sleep we need.

You might want to ask your doctor if they think you’d be a good candidate for cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), perhaps alongside separate treatment for the panic attacks.

I hope this helps, and wish you all the best!

—

If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

[Author]

Posts