Every single night, total panic

[thatcoldfeeling]

I can't really cope with how bad this has got. I have sleep walked my whole life but in the last 5 years it isn't just sleepwalking.
It has got worse and worse and now nearly every night I think I am trapped somewhere, a tunnel a room, the back of a lorry etc. I can't get out sometimes I start screaming/yelling (and have woken my kids who are horrified), other times I am trying frantically to escape and have pulled over my bookcase and wardrobe, I have pulled the blinds off the wall loads of times.
It ends as I always suddenly realise somehow I am in my room (or the landing etc), I wake up and my heart is absolutely thumping in my chest, it takes ages to calm down. It makes me feel so anxious and on edge during the day.
I have diazepam to take 'as and when needed' but it hasn't been working, neither do over the counter sleeping pills.
I have been referred to the useless depression and anxiety service before for anxiety and eating disorder stuff, out of desperation went back to my GP this week and this time I have been referred to a psychologist which seems scary.
Every night when I go to bed I think when I am trapped I just need to make myself think I m not really. That never works. I just want it to stop, but then I could do with my whole life stopping really, it is a total disaster and I have really had enough of it all :(

[AnxiousCarer]

I wonder if your GP could refer you toa sleep clinic. I remember seeing something on TV about people who act out their dreams. Something to do with the part of your brain that normally stops you moving Iin your sleep not working. Remember there was a teenager who had jumped out his bedroom window trying to escape a dream. Can't remember what treatment was offered though.

[thatcoldfeeling]

Well I actually thought that is what would happen when I went to the GP. Instead I got referred to a psychologist.

[gamerchick]

You need the sleep clinic. Go back to your gp and ask to be referred.

[thatcoldfeeling]

Idk if it makes any difference but the GP asked about past trauma of which there is plenty so I don't know if that influenced the referral?

Got a psych apt booked now anyway and maybe they could refer me if it is wrong? I actually hate going to my GP surgery, I have had so many panic attacks there so I try to avoid it as much as possible

Has anyone here had a sleep clinic referral and know what it involves?