SEVERE PANIC ATTACKS WHEN THE SEVERE INSOMNIA EPISODES OCCUR!

[[Pi...]]

WHEN THE SEVERE INSOMNIA EPISODES OCCUR, I STAY IN THIS PANIC STATE OF MIND AND HAVE SEVERE PANIC ATTACKS EVERY FEW MINUTES THE WHOLE TIME I DON'T SLEEP! IT'S HORRIFIC!!! I LITERALY HAVE PANIC ATTACKS OVER EVERY LITTLE THING! I FEEL LIKE I'M LOSING MY SANITY, DP/DR, POUNDING RACING HEART AND OTHER SYMTOMS BUT THE EXTREME PANIC IS SOOO HORRIFIC! INSOMNIA MAKES EVERY SYMPTOM 1000X WORSE!!! ANYONE ELSE?  :'(

[[MT...]]

Snowflake, agreed that insomnia increases our other symptoms and creates a total stew of misery. I had that panic/terror for quite some time when I wasn't sleeping at all earlier in my wd. It felt to me like the terror I had when I was in an airplane and an engine went out or when one of my kid's couldn't breathe because of croup. In time I learned that it was just my nervous system and was able to ignore it some. I did a lot of distraction TV, easy reading and whenever I could I did relaxation exercises from CDs or youtube. Mindfulness, even if it's just taking a minute to notice your breathe or the sensation of the couch beneath you, clothing against your skin, the sounds around you, can calm things down a little bit. If it's any comfort this stopped after a few months. Anxiety remained but after experiencing sheer panic and terror, it was, and is more manageable. I had anxiety before benzos so I have no expecataion of being anxiety-free but wd sure has taught me some coping skills! That can be one of your goals here-to improve the rest of your life. When I used to force myself to go on walks when I was so desperately sick, I'd say to myself over and over, "I'm doing this to create a body that will feel worth living in." All of this can be an investment in your future. The now may suck but it's not the forever.

[Guest [ba...]]

I didn't have many panic attacks, but the ones I had were at night.  I'd get up (rather quickly), and head downstairs to watch some TV to distract me.  I'd also eat something (to further distract).  I'd make a little bed on the couch and just be with the TV and my laptop.  I'd often doze off after a while, but if I didn't at least I was calmer.

 

While it's not considered good sleep hygiene, consider putting something in your room to create a little bit of distraction.  Could be a TV.  Couple be some soft music or a meditation recording.  Something to keep your mind off of your mind.

[[ci...]]

I remember those nights, Brutal. But they won't last, the panic and sleep anxiety eventually will fade away. So sorry you are suffering with this. Just give it more time, sorry but time and more time is what healed me

[[Pi...]]

Thank y'all sooo much! This is SOOO horrific! Have any of you ever felt the feeling of being brain dead?  :'(

[[ce...]]

I also have a horrific time if I don't sleep which right now is most nights unless drugged up.  The daytime symptoms of a sleepless night are like yours with pounding heart and really bad anxiety.  I know how awful it is.

Take care

[[Sh...]]

It happened to me too. The panic attacks were terrible but I haven’t had one for a while.  I hope they pass for you soon.

[[MT...]]

Thank y'all sooo much! This is SOOO horrific! Have any of you ever felt the feeling of being brain dead?  :'(

 

You bet. Nobody with severe insomnia thinks well. My husband is an actual rocket scientist and his IQ plummets when he's missed too much sleep! So for those of us doing this for long periods of time, we get huge props for remembering our own names and what 2 plus 2 is. 5, right?

 

I still get that brain dead feeling. Sometimes first thing in the morning but more often when I've exceeded my operational parameters (android speak for doing too much). What my body or mind thinks is too much can be pretty nuts but once I go into full brain dead mode, my brain is usually off until the next day. I try to ease up on my expectations until I've gotten some rest. Still, this has been getting better and I can even *learn* sometimes now and that was impossible earlier in wd.

[[Cl...]]

Me too! This is so scary and lonely.  :'(

[[Pi...]]

😭😭😭

[[Sl...]]

Yes, completely. I would self sooth w reassuring talk, meditation w positive affirmations, but then the intrusive thoughts crept in. 5 month out and my sleep has crept up to occasionally 4-5 hrs w fewer 3 hr nights.... but still have trouble falling back asleep. I find reading makes me sleepy...I also try not to move around too much so not to stimulate myself more.

I’ve also started this week of taking a half mg sublingual tablet of melatonin when I wake to fall back asleep. Seems to help.

Insomnia has been the biggest struggle as it amplifies EVERY emotion and I am pure puddingthe next day  when I don’t sleep. I pretty much cry all day as I can’t seem to handle ANY stress.

I’m sorry you are going thru this. It WILL get better....

 

Also, In the beginning, bc of the severe tachycardia which aggravated my anxiety and inability to sleep, I was. Put on a small dose of a beta blocker. It helped tremendously with all of my symptoms as it helps calm the heart rate through the sympathetic system, which is where the adrenaline surges likely come from. However, it is something that if you start you will have to also taper off. I already have low blood pressure and found it difficult to maintain my blood pressure being even on the tiniest of doses. But I was grateful for the rest I was able to add to get back to sleep. I took an immediate release one when I would wake with the symptoms In the middle of the night. Because of my low blood pressure, couldn’t go on a long acting one. Just food for thought