Any doctors ? Hit my head very hard 2 days ago, feeling incredibly anxious

[Daydreamer71]

I was heavily in toxicated when I fell and hit my head 2 days ago - I fell ear first which bled a lot. I wasn't sick or confused etc but very sore. I went to a walk in clinic today and they said I will be fine and it'll heal naturally. I only slept for 4 hours last night and now I can't sleep at all again. Every time I fall asleep I jolt awake as if my body doesn't want me to be asleep. Please can someone help? I feel so irritable and anxious, I can't even pin point want about right now

Pics of injury too

[originallyfromLA]

Your rational brain knows that you're fine. It's not a bad injury and you've been checked over by medical professionals. You need to let that part of your brain overcome the anxious part. It's your anxiety talking, not facts. Hope you feel calmer soon

[Tolleshunt]

Sound like you might have a mild concussion. Did they mention that?
Also, are you anxious about the 'what ifs'?

[Daydreamer71]

@originallyfromLA Thanks for replying!! I know you're right, I think I'm over exhausted. I suffer from anxiety as it is so it's pretty through the roof right now. I just want to sleep, my body won't let me

[Daydreamer71]

@Tolleshunt no they didn't mention it, or say anything really. If I hadn't fallen ear first then the doctor said I'd likely have a hair line fracture, which is quite scary. I hate myself a bit for getting in that state. I'm such a clumsy drunk, I have 4 other injuries/bruises as well but not as bad as the head

[Tolleshunt]

It's just that anxiety and irritability can be signs of concussion. Maybe have a google?

But then, if you suffer with anxiety anyway, this is bound to have shaken you. It sounds like you Ina state of high alert, as you are startling when you try to sleep.

Do you mind if I asks again if you are going over the 'what ifs'? There's a particular reason I'm asking.

[Daydreamer71]

@Tolleshunt I've had hours of googling today and yesterday which is how I ended up here as I wasn't finding much about my particular situation. State of high alert sounds plausible though! And yes to the 'what ifs' ! I have it a lot with everything even non-drunken situations

[HopeClearwater]

Do you think that it might be time to stop getting so drunk? I’m not judging you here - but you say you are a clumsy drunk, and you’re in such a state (which won’t be helped by post-intoxication remorse) that it seems as if not getting so drunk might avoid further anxiety and sleepless nights. You don’t HAVE to get shit-faced, you know.

[Daydreamer71]

@HopeClearwater yep completely agree. This has shaken me enough (hence why I'm posting looking for support / reassurance) 👍🏼

[Tolleshunt]

Ok, I have two suggestions that you could try. Both are aimed at reducing the high alert.

Firstly, you need to artificially induce some feelings of calmness. You probably already know that we are wired for threat, and react far quicker to that than we do to signals that we are safe? Your brain probably is now on high alert, watching out for another threat like the fall, and thinks it's so likely, it won't let you rest easily.

Do you have any go-to strategy/ies for calming anxiety? Like meditation, hypnosis, etc? If so, really bash away at them overtime now and for the next wee while. You will need to send many, many calm signals before your brain's alert system stands down. I personally find hypnosis is way quicker and more effective than meditation, but it's horses for courses. You might find affirmations like 'I am safe, I am calm, I am protected' helpful, if you can really induce a state of belief/feeling that way when you say them (hypnosis would help with that).

In addition, when your mind starts to go down the path of 'what if', firmly counteract it with thoughts of 'I'm fine', 'it's ok', I'm healthy', etc. Try and stop any catastrophising, but by countering it, rather than trying to suppress it.

Try also not to beat yourself up about the accident. Shit happens! You will learn from it.

It's an awful position to be in, but hopefully you will be feeling better soon.

[Daydreamer71]

@Tolleshunt this is really helpful and so nice to read thank you. Will give it a try now. I really appreciate the support. I would just like to calm myself down and sleep it off.

[Tolleshunt]

Yvw, the brain's a bugger for clinging on to the negative stuff, but you can over-ride it with persistence (or much more quickly with hypnosis).

Fingers crossed you get some sleep tonight.

[BusterGonad]

I also think you have the hangover FEAR!