Are these panic attacks?

LegacyUser

Few things going on in my life at the moment, nothing major, just the usually busy January at work, few things to be sort with the house etc but nothing that I can't deal with when I'm up and about. Lately when I go to bed, these issues start to escalate completely out of control in my head. My heart starts racing, my head feels like its gonna explode and all I wanna do is get sick. This has now started to wake me after I've falling asleep and also when I wake up in the morning. Once I've had a shower and left the house I feel completely fine but it all starts again that night. Am I losing the plot?

Das Kitty

Looks likely.

You should visit your doctor.

r3nu4l

A doctor will let you know. You should definitely see one.

I guess that night times are when we start mulling over the stuff we should have done during the day or the worries about next month's bills. Try setting aside some time earlier in the evening to write down all these things on paper.

Then promise yourself that you won't think about them when you go to bed. When you do go to bed, sit there for 30 minutes or so reading a book. It's escapism and your mind might be more focused on that than anything else when you do turn out the lights.

I could recommend that you try meditation and you probably should but seeing a doctor is definitely the way to go. Be honest, open and up front about everything, even if it means you cry like a baby when talking to him/her. It won't be the first or last time a doctor had someone crying in their surgery

bogzilla

it sounds like it. i got them for a while so here is my two cents.

if they only happen at night or in the morning then for some reason your body is associating your bedroom as a place of high anxiety and is triggering your "fight or flight" response.

a couple of simple things that will allow you to relax more are:

1) don't do any work while in bed, no laptop, no phone, no nothing. your bedroom is your sanctuary for rest. perhaps some music.

2) work on your breathing when you feel the anxiety increasing. focus on slow breaths.

3) get a self help book on panic attacks - they really helped me because they explain what is actually happening your body. you're not going "nuts", you are having a physical response to mental issues. your mind is in pain so the body cries out.

finally ... good luck ... i had these before and got through them. the main thing is to look after yourself as a person. drink less and exercise more and i guarantee you will get better slowly.

Gadfly

Sounds like classic panic. Try deep, slow breathing for about twenty minutes. It works! Evening as you go about your daily business be aware of your breathing. You'd be surprised how shallow we all breath each day. Look into Mindfulness Breathing. I do it regularly and I'm amazed at the positive effect. Also, walk for at least an hour a day. I suffered from agoraphobia for several months in the past.

LegacyUser

ah its the worst feeling ever i have been feeling like that alot lately did't realise they were panick attacks though! Have been really upset and stressed but what exactly could a doctor do to help with panick attacks and the like!

LegacyUser

I agree totally with Bogzilla about the bedroom thing. I had problems sleeping due to stress, but found that to make the bedroom a no work/no study zone really helped. My partner and I are not allowed talk about job or money worries in bed. It takes a while but you learn to compartmentalise you life, so once you get into bed the day is over and all problems are instinctively put aside.

starmix08

I agree with all the breathing advice suggested above, but having gone through what your going through proper breathing can be the most difficult thing to do! This time last year I was suffering similarly to you. I suffered in silence for a while, until all the mental health ads on tv bamboozled me enough to do something about it. I began with my doctor, and was referred to a counsellor who I met with for a few months. I'm a different person now, and don't regret any of it! Please please get help, you deserve to come through this and feel like yourself again. There's so much support out there, it's taking the first step thats most difficult... but most worthwhile. Do it!:)