Quick chat? I'm anxious

[Imagineit]

Anyone? I've been doing well but woke up panicked. Can I chat a sec?

What's up?

A thing worrying you in particular? Or have you just got that horrid brain fog we all get from time to time?

@Giraffey1 isn't that fog horrible!!! And the racing anxious thoughts are too!

Thankyou. I've been having a tough time with anxiety. I'm on sertraline and it seems to be helping and I've made some progress. Just had a horrible waking dream of someone in the room, I've had it before it's horrid

How long have you been on it. I get terrible dreams on it too.

I really don't want to go back to square one with anxiety. I know deep down I won't because I've made progress but i need to calm again

Well I've just upped my dose so that could be why. Had night terrors for years they are awful but I usually go back to sleep straight away

You won't. You'll have days when you really believe in yourself. Unfortunately they come with days like today. But it doesn't disappear, you just learn to manage it.

What are you feeling right now? Is it a fog, racing thoughts, sweats?

I don’t think you will go backwards OP, you just had a scary dream is all. Can you go get a class of water and settle yourself down again? You are probably adjusting to the higher dose -

I get anxious around sleep time, feeling a bit alone in the dark (I sound about 7! )I've had insomnia for a fortnight and needed sleeping tablets for a few nights but last night I slept without and I hate the thought of another anxious night and a step backwards

I'd agree. Sitting up and having a drink or something to refocus your brain from your dream is a good idea.

Racing thoughts and nightmares usually creep back on me when I drift off. But I close my eyes and work on totally relaxing my muscles from my toes to my head to help me stop thinking of them.

Do you take your tablets in the morning or evening?

Anxiety is really crappy. Mine is all so irrational and about nothing in particular. Fear of the fear which is just silly

@Catworrier I take them in the morning.

@Imagineit it is.
And sometimes people don't get it but that's why places like this are great to find help from people that experience it too. I'm going to write some things that have helped me with my sertraline/sleep journey

It’s understandable, you worry about experiencing the same feelings. That’s only natural. I hope the upped dosage helps you once your body has adjusted to it x

@Catworrier Thankyou so much, sometimes feeling better can feel so close but then so so far again.

Maybe have a read for 20 mins to take your mind off it

Have you tried a sleep routine at all - Bath or yoga before bed, no screens etc

Thanks @Giraffey1 I just want to feel better!

@partyatthepalace I was doing well, I read for a bit and drifted off (which in itself is progress really because the last few nights I have felt too anxious to try to sleep) I keep worrying about going backwards and letting my family down

Take tablets first thing in the morning and I also take magnesium and vit d (check labels)

If it's a bad day/night I don't go to bed until I feel tired. And when I do get to bed my phone goes off and I read. I read teen books at the moment cos they require barely any brain power to simulate your imagination. I can recommend kid normal.

I have a triangle pillow which makes me feel comforted as it hugs you.

I used a weighted blanket when I'm having a really bad time. But I'd usually have a duvet day at that point. But it feels lush!

Relax to help you drift off. Like I said before relaxing each muscle at a time really helps. Thinking about it stops bad thoughts because all you are focused on is whether you can relax your muscles any more.

As for dreams I usually sit up and just fidget about and go back to sleep to stop them creeping back. It's a silly thing I do to reset my brain.

I also like to sleep with my slatted blinds open. It gives me comforting light at night and a lovely wake up in the morning.

Hiya @Imagineit anxiety sucks arse. Utter arse. When I’m getting all tense and finding it interfering with my sleep I do progressive muscle relaxation, don’t know if you’ve tried it?
It won’t help with the overall anxiety much but I find it helps me drift off to sleep if I do it in bed and sometimes if I’m getting all stressed during the day I’ll take myself off and do a ten min session to help calm my mind, might be worth a read about and giving a shot of one time? I’ll pop a link on, it explains it but if you google it there’s lots of different pages.

www.verywellmind.com/how-do-i-practice-progressive-muscle-relaxation-3024400

Also a disclaimer.

All the things above make it sound like I've got it sorted. I don't. At all. I still have problems but I've learnt what works best.

It'll take a while and there may be times where you take two steps forward and one step back. But that's okay. It's still progress.

[quote MonkeyPuddle]Hiya @Imagineit anxiety sucks arse. Utter arse. When I’m getting all tense and finding it interfering with my sleep I do progressive muscle relaxation, don’t know if you’ve tried it?
It won’t help with the overall anxiety much but I find it helps me drift off to sleep if I do it in bed and sometimes if I’m getting all stressed during the day I’ll take myself off and do a ten min session to help calm my mind, might be worth a read about and giving a shot of one time? I’ll pop a link on, it explains it but if you google it there’s lots of different pages.

www.verywellmind.com/how-do-i-practice-progressive-muscle-relaxation-3024400[/quote]
This is great. I'm going to try this tonight!

Thanks so much both, I panicked. Will definitely try lots of those techniques I especially love the idea of a weighted blanket. DP sleeps in the other room and sometimes I just really need a hug.