[Tim]

I am here to learn from the collective wisdom of the group. Sleep problems for me are relatively new starting in Jan of 2023. Like just about everyone else I’ve seen on the podcast mine started the same way. My greatest strength (I love routines) is also my worst enemy. Our hours changed at work and I had to start getting up a half hour earlier to get my workout in in the morning. The bad nights started slowly but then excruciating anxiety kicked in when I was unable to sleep. One morning I ended up waking up with a panic attack. I never have trouble falling asleep but I would wake up shortly thereafter in a panic state. Ended up going to the doctor and got put on some anti-anxiety meds however I only feel anxious when I’m thinking about sleep. I do not think I have generalized anxiety disorder at all and think I may be able to start weaning myself off of them. So far everything I thought I knew about sleep has been blown up by Martin. I am starting to have more good days than bad but that anxiety about sleep can kick in at the weirdest times. Does it eventually go away altogether as my sleep confidence builds? Have others found themselves on anti-anxietity but were able to get off of them once they started sleeping better? Thanks so much

[Martin Reed]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing.

Anxiety can be really difficult — no doubt about it. And, sometimes, it can become even more difficult the more we try to fight or avoid it. When that’s our approach (which is probably the default response of all human beings!) we end up dealing with the presence of anxiety itself when it shows up, which is difficult, and we also add anxiety about the potential of experiencing anxiousness on top! At that point, anxiety can feel ever-present and way more distracting, powerful, and influential.

Has that been your experience? if so, perhaps exploring a different way of responding to anxiety — a way that might help you move away from “direct combat”, trying to fight, or avoid it — might be useful.

I hope there’s something helpful here 🙂

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[Author]

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