To think this anxiety will never end

[Shinyshiny2]

I get massive sleep anxiety which rears its head every few years. I worry I won’t sleep which in turn stops me sleeping then it’s a viscious circle! I know that I need to just not worry but that’s easier said then done. Every time this has happened previously I’ve been signed off of work with bad anxiety and taken fluoxetine and it’s gradually got better. I’m in a state again on day 12 of fluoxetine and really really don’t want to be signed off work but I’m so anxious that I won’t sleep tonight then won’t cope tomorrow (I’m a teacher). I feel so hopeless and trapped by this anxiety I’m so scared it’s here to stay this time and nothing will work!

How many threads are you going to do about the same thing?

Have you tried alternative therapies such as hypnotherapy or acupuncture? Sometimes very effective. I've also been trying cognitive shuffling lately when struggling to sleep and it's been quite successful. I also use the calm app for sleep stories and relaxing meditations.

HRT sorted my sleep and anxiety out? In retrospect I should have started it years ago but thought I was too young.

My anxiety tells me that I’ll be awake for days on end and become delirious. I’m a great sleeper when I don’t worry but I can’t turn off the worry and it’s driving me mad! I’m so scared the fluoxetine won’t work and I’m stuck like this.

The problem isn't you. The problem is the lifestyle were expected to lead. You're worried about being too tired to function for work - if it weren't for that, nothing to worry about.

Our ancestors didn't worry about sleep, because it didn't matter much what time we were up the next day. Even the important things like hunting for food didn't have a day schedule. We slept when we slept, and apparently it's more natural to sleep in two parts with a break in the middle. We're not meant to sleep a big chunk through the night.

Not that any of this helps you now of course. Think it's just important to be aware of why we're having problems - it's not because you're broken. You're affected by an anxiety that's been put on you.

The only advice I can give is stop giving a shit about being functional the next day. But I know as you say, much easier said than done.

May I ask why you are cycling on and off fluoxetine? If you were to stay on it longer term, might it help prevent or mitigate the cycle repeating?
I also wonder if you have tried anything else to ease the anxiety and if your GP might be able to suggest other medications to try alongside the fluoxetine.
Other than that I agree with PPs suggesting hypnotherapy and acupuncture, there are a lot of therapies out there you could try.
I also find the meditation app Balance really helpful.

I also wonder if you could try questioning and challenging your anxiety a little more - it tells you you'll be awake for days on end and then become delirious - can you challenge that a little bit? You'll be delirious and then what? As a sensible adult you would call in sick before that caused an issue at work and you would be resting at home. What's the worst that could happen? (I'm not trying to minimise it, it would be horrible, and I know challenging anxious thoughts is easier said than done. But, personally, I know when I'm in an anxiety spiral, I have to remind myself that I've lost all my sense of perspective and logic)

Just to add, the anxiety is NOT here to stay. A psychiatrist told me recently that it is actually physically impossible for your body to be in a relentless state of extreme anxiety for more than a few days. It will break.
It always has, it always does, it always will.
It feels out of control right now but it WILL abate and you will have perspective back. Be gentle with yourself.

I’ve had the same periodically over the years. CBTi helped (I did mine via sleepstation) in some areas you can get it on the nhs but you can also self fund I believe at a reduced rate. I also had some private therapy for a short time which helped reframe my anxious thoughts around not sleeping. Like you mine was very focused on being unable to work (I work in healthcare) so felt a lot of pressure to be able to function and I would also catastrophise that I would never be able to sleep again and end up sectioned.

I can tell you it never happened and I always did eventually sleep!

Do you think it’s likely that I won’t sleep or would my body force sleep before I become delirious?!

Im also really struggling with this at the moment. So joining in for any ideas! I’m wandering if my hrt is too much oestrogen so have stopped it for a while to see if that makes a difference and I’m worried I’m becoming reliant on prescription sleeping tablets so Friday I was awake for 40 hours as I refused to take any. I did go to work but wasn’t very effective

I agree with PP that it sounds like you could benefit from long term medication. I cycled on and off anxiety meds for decades. I'd be fine for 2 years, then bam it'd be back.
I have now been taking Citalopram for 5 years - reduced to the very lowest dose (not even considered therapeutic for my age). I'm an entirely different person. The real me that people saw in fits and starts before. Literally up for anything. I don't get a full night's sleep, but I function fine and don't worry about it.
I also find myself benefiting from things like guided meditation, sound baths, exercise, dance and breath work, which I'd have dismissed, due to my busy mind, in the past.
Sleep is just the thing your anxiety is focused on OP. For someone else thet might focus on their health etc. Tackle the anxiety long term and you won't be worrying about your sleep.
You will be fine. There's no reason why your fluoxetine won't help like it always has - then you'll be in a better place to do other helpful things to support sleep, but also your MH more generally. 🫂

Have you slept since?!?!

One of the common side effects of fluoxetine is insomnia in the first few weeks of taking it, have you discussed taking something like zopiclone to counteract this with your GP? Why do you come off the fluoxetine it sounds like you're getting the side effects without much benefit if you aren't staying on it long term. It had a life changing effect on me over 6 years but in the first few weeks I didn't sleep at all so it would be no good as a short term treatment for insomnia.

I don’t have insomnia. I have severe anxiety hence being loud on fluoxetine. My anxiety is all about the effects of not sleeping and I catastrophise - I know my body can sleep but I can’t turn off the worry.