I’ve associated anxiety with sleep

[Mike LaMattina]

hello all my name is mike, I am new here. I’ve suffered from hypochondria for about 4 months now and it’s never affected my sleep before. 2 weeks ago I got into a car accident, didn’t seem like I had a concussion, but I freaked out anyway. Got 4 hours of sleep that night. When I woke up to use the restroom, I was in the midst of falling back asleep and my anxiety jolted me awake. Ever since then, I had 2 bouts where I’ve slept around 4 hours in 3 days. Every time I lay down to sleep, I feel my heart beating/have palps. My GP prescribed me Xanax just for a week to sleep. Has anyone ever experienced this before?

 

[Kelculator]

I am trying to see if there is a connection between the accident and sleeping. Because you didn't experience anxiety when sleeping before the accident, right? Especially when you first experienced this issue the night after the accident, and that you "freaked out" about it. This might have made you hyperaware about specific stuff perhaps?

 

[Mike LaMattina]

I am trying to see if there is a connection between the accident and sleeping. Because you didn't experience anxiety when sleeping before the accident, right? Especially when you first experienced this issue the night after the accident, and that you "freaked out" about it. This might have made you hyperaware about specific stuff perhaps?

To catch you up to speed, I kept thinking I was gonna slip into a coma. And when I tried to fall back asleep I was jolted awake by anxiety. I mistook that for sleep paralysis and then got spooked about that (health anxiety). Safe to say it wasn’t that, I’ve never had that, and even on hours of sleep deprivation it hasn’t happened. Now I can’t sleep cause my heart races and I always think I’ll never be able to sleep again

 

[Kaynil]

It sounds to me like that fear of slipping into a comma is what is jolting your body as soon as you are about to fall asleep. From what you say it seems like you haven't been experiencing worsening symptoms and since you didn't mention anything regarding finding hard to concentrate, dizziness or anything with your head I really don't think you need to worry about a comma.

As far as I understand, even a delayed coma tend to come within the first day of being released by the hospital. I think you're safe. If it serves of any comfort. I tend to get night palpitations often. Try to keep yourself calm. Breath slowly and wait for it to pass.

Please let us know how you go. I hope you can get to have a proper rest soon.

 

[PeggyJoan]

Hello Mike!

I am new here, but I have sleep anxiety as well. You have developed that all or nothing thinking as have I: "I am never going to sleep again." Of course it's false and this too shall pass but this probably doesn't help.
I am going through withdrawal of Effexor and I sometimes get only two hours of sleep. I dread going to bed and that is exactly the wrong way of looking at it! You can't chase sleep. I read where maybe we can just say "right now I am not sleeping, but I can rest." So many different schools of thought - get up and do something, don't get up, etc. etc.

I wish you well, and please know this is temporary. It certainly sounds as if it is connected with your accident. Health anxiety sucks too - I've had it almost all my life, and I'm 70. It is not constant, but comes and goes, thank God!

Best wishes
Peggy

 

[Daniel rodriguez]

Man... i experienced the same thing last week. I was about to dose off and boom! i shot up like a rocket immediately freaking out, pacing, and breathing heavy. I felt like i was going to have a heart attack. My limbs went numb and i felt like i was lugging around an extra 200 pounds. I broke out in a cold sweat. I basically freaked out until i was so tired i couldnt help but fall asleep. One thing ive noticed is that having someone around to talk to is very helpful. Also having people in your life that know the feeling. I wish and i pray to God that we can all overcome this horrible condition. I refuse to let it control my life. It was making me hate the things i love.