Some questions about anxiety...

[Feelingoptimistic]

It has taken be a while to realise that I suffer from high levels of anxiety.
The last few years have been difficult for me, because my marriage ended and the whole thing was very drawn out. But now that I should be feeling better, I am finding that the anxiety is getting worse, almost as though it's a delayed response or maybe my coping mechanisms have run out...

Anyway, today for example, I had a fairly stressful day, but night I tried to relax - played with DD, had a bath with her, a glass of wine... But now feeling very anxious, with that fluttery feeling in my heart, and also that tight feeling in my stomach.
Sometimes these symptoms come on out of the blue, usually in the evening. Is that normal? (well, normal for people who suffer from anxiety...)

A few weeks ago I had one night when I could not get to sleep, because is was in such an axious state that a soon as I started falling asleep I would suddenly wake up myself again. It was horrible.

The other thing is that I find it's worse in the week before my period. As thought hormones make it worse. Anyone else find this?

I do that falling asleep and waking myself up thing pretty much every night. I hate it. I do think hormones make it worse and my anxiety went off the scale when I was pregnant. I think that we tend to be busier during the day and sometimes the anxiety only comes out when you start to (try to) relax in the evening. I am a real expert at putting on a brave face and I am sure that it all builds up inside me ready to come out at night. I get worse if I drink red wine, especially the sleep problems. I don't really know what the answer is. I did a CBT course on my GP's recommendation which has helped a little, but I am still a ball of anxiety. Hope it helps to know that you are not alone, even if I haven't given any real advice!

Hi Jimmy - yes, it does help to know I am not alone...
I think you are right that during the day our brains are busy with other things, but in the evening it all comes to the surface.

Here's hoping for a serene night of quality sleep.

I find physical exercise esp swimming, yoga, running, which tires me out, really helps with anxiety.

Do you get much chance?

Hi Frigatebird - yes, you are probably right. Unfortunately I get very little time to myself, so don't get any exercise (I do lots of walking but that doesn't really count...)

I am feeling better tonight, probably because I had a fairly relaxed day.

Glad to hear you're feeling a bit better. I always feel worse if I don't get "time off", though I know it's hard to organise. We have to grab every opportunity which presents itself!

Are you me?!

I have found that increasing my self esteem has helped quite significantly, also working on the idea of feeling 'safe' and therefore not anxious.

I am a night panic-er too, out of the blue and for no reason, it hits me so hard I usually gasp for breath. Dh thought I was having an orgasm once (not fucking likely)

I have tried some herbal remedies and bach flower remedies, also aromatherapy. Not great for me but hey, you may well have better results. The most successful thing so far has been a cheap vitamin B-complex tablet that seems to give me more get up and go and so I am more relaxed in the evening.

Hello all

I just thought I would post my experiences. I suffered severe panic attacks at 18, but slowly recovered with the help of yoga, lavender oil and I guess time. I just learnt to deal with a certain level of anxiety, not enough to stop me living life/working/travelling and having a child but over the last 20 years putting up with alot of night-time stress episodes and general fears.

Basically I developed alot of avoidance and distraction techniques, going to bed at the same time as my DH, avoiding watching upsetting TV and films, reading myself to sleep, Lavender on the pillow, deep breathing, regular exercise etc..etc...

Anyhow during my pregnancy my symptoms were much better but after my DS was 1 the episodes came back....So I just decided that enough was enough and I requested CBT from my GP.

One hour session every two weeks (still ongoing) and my life is transformed in that I no longer get anxiety and have understood the causes and learnt to not fear my anxieties. I have stopped avoiding/distracting and just ride the fear out. After 20 years its taken a while to see the light but now I am myself just without the fears. Anyhow I thought I would post and offer my thoughts (after 20 years of putting up with anxiety) I would recommend professional CBT from a clinical psychologist.

Hope that things get better for all
Hugs xxxx

Just thought I would say its taken 9 months of one hour sessions every two weeks.........not just one session