Nighttime anxiety

[anxiousatnight]

Nearly 2 years ago I experienced bad anxiety triggered by a stressful house move. The move was an overall success and I love where we live, but I took diazepam short term and sertraline longer term which suited me well. I have been off the sertraline for well over a year with no problems.

Recently, I have been experiencing anxiety overnight. I usually get to sleep ok, but within a couple of house I'm awake and I can't resettle properly after that. I can feel my chest tightening, a 'bone crunching' sensation and a 'skin crawling' sensation. This morning my face feel sore and achy, mainly around my jaw, so I think I've been clenching my teeth.

I notice it's much worse before my period and that there is some relief once my period starts.

I've requested a repeat prescription of sertraline but need to speak with the doctor as it's been a long time since it was prescribed.

Has anyone got any experiences of this? I don't really want to take medication for the rest of my life, but I can feel it flaring up like last time and don't want to get into a state again.

How old are you ? Menopause age ?

No, I'm 33

Get the medication, get some counselling/CBT, stop any alcohol, and get a good bedtime routine. I’d also consider something to help you sleep like an antihistamine, although you don’t want to become reliant on it. But I’m sure your sleep will improve on the medication from the GP.
Good luck, lack of sleep is torture.

i get this. What helps for me is taking high doses of magnesium and vitamin b12 and zinc. If I forget for a while I get worse

Strong dose of Magnesium to sleep. It really helps me.

I take 375mg in the evening before going to sleep. If I wake up (wake up less now since tainting Magnesium) I take another one and go back to sleep within 20 minutes.

This is very helpful about the magnesium, thank you. I am waiting for a call back from the doctors about the sertraline so I will discuss that as well.

It's strange how I only seem to feel really anxious at night. I didn't used to feel anxious at bed time, but I have started to now because I know what's coming. I feel anxious all night and dip in and out of sleep, then I feel anxious when I wake but it doesn't take long to lift during the morning.

I suppose everyone reacts differently depending on levels of depletion (if indeed the case) but, honestly, Magnesium gives me nice deep, restful sleep. It's wonderful

Have you changed anything in your diet or any products you use that you might be sensitive to? Hormones also can disrupt our sleep. Also, switch off your devices or go into airplane mode if you keep your phone or tablet next to you at night. This might be unscientific but might help.