Scott: When I first learned to stop my panic attacks I could do it during the day but the ones at night continued to wake me up. They were the worst because I was felt just too tired to fight back. I found out that it was actually my blood sugar level. When your blood sugar level crashes, your body releases a shot of adrenaline into your system that makes you jolt awake. It's a natural response for your body when it thinks that it's lacking glucose (sugar) it's brain food. For those of us, who know the feeling of a panic attack, our brain instantly takes the adrenaline message and runs with it into panic. Before bed I always have popcorn or toast or milk or oatmeal (they all work to keep your insulin level balanced for more than 6 hours) and zinc (25mg to 50mg) and magnesium (300 to 600mg) depending on the night I was having. I went to an orthomolecular doctor who tested me for hypoglycemia. During the test I actually vomitted because my system couldn't handle the initial shot of sugar and adrenaline that hit my system. Look into the test and that'll make more sense to you. For me it was handling a normal adrenaline signal (which my brain was supposed to do)without my brain going into panic. If your doctor won't do a test for hypoglycemia look for ortho. doctors. Mabye this will work for you too. Here's hoping. LisaN

Hi Scott, I was just reading through your post and I think you kind of solved your own problem. You said you have a fear of losing control and going insane. That explains why you jump awake in a panic over and over again. When you begin to dose off you are letting go and basically losing control. You can't be asleep and totally aware of everything at the same time, so therefore you have been caught up in this terrible cycle of dozing off and jumping awake. You definately have to put a stop to it because with anxiety and panic it will only grow worse, it grows like a weed. Trust me I know because I've been there. First off I would suggest instead of sleeping pills you need to take an anti- anxiety medication in combination with the anti-depressant you just started. Klonopin or ativan will help to calm you until the anti- depressant kicks in. You also need to learn some skills , so that you can cope better with stress, and change the way you think , which is how you got yourself to this point. Try the program offered here and I would also suggest Lucinda Bassetts program offered at www.stresscenter.com . I went through it and no longer suffer from anxiety and panic. Also, you may have noticed on another thread here , that alot of people are trying the Linden method. I found it interesting, and it had some good suggestions. I didn't find it as helpful as Lucinda's program, but it may help you. I can e-mail the ebook to you if you'd like. Just post your e-mail address.

Hi all, Where to start.... I have been reading these posts with interest as they seem in someway similiar to my own problem, and yet I have not come across a post that describes exactly my experiences. For the past 18 months - every night (when I have not been on sleeping pills or a fair quantity of drink) I go to sleep, within 1 second of actually passing through the barrier of awake to sleep, I wake! Prior to waking, for just a few mili seconds, I feel lightheaded, disorientated, slightly sick, it feels like the inside of my head is being twisted and contorted. I wake in sheer fear, shock, panic. I usually at this time leap out of bed and shout "No No No" or make some unregonisable sound which means I really am not happy with what I am feeling and very confused and frightened, yet I am aware of where I am and what is happening. Sometimes it feels like I have lost the control of my tongue - hence the funny sounds when I want to say "STOP!" or "NO!" I sleep alone so who only knows who I am shouting at?!? I can well imagine I am heard by my whole block of apartments. Probably explains the strange looks I get during the day. Oh yes at this stage my heart feels like it is beating like a thousand times a second. I do not have a fear of dying or a pending heart attack. If anthing, it is a fear of going insane and loosing control that scares me. After few seconds, I compose myself and try to sleep, only for it to happen time and time again. I filmed myself last night only to see myself waking up in this manner 12 times in the space of 1 hour. I know for certain, that this continues until I am utterly exhausted. I feel I eventually get a few hours sleep but wake so so tired... if I try to have a lay in and sleep - sure enough it happens all over again. So I get up and get on with the day. As I said this has been going on for 18 months now, and the attacks are getting more severe, as in frightening and also more often. The physical sensation in my head is also feeling more powerful. I know I am not going to die, but each time it happens the shock of this is as scary as if it was the first time. I have no choice but to be resiliant and keep trying to sleep. Doctors, still to this day, after seeing 3 different ones and a psychiat

Hi there- I know exactly how you feel. I cant go to sleep at night and I start worrying about having to go to sleep at a certain time the minute I get off work. Like right now I am having major aniexty about going to bed and then it compounds because in the morning i am so tired all day long and that makes my anxiety worse. I have nightmares almost all the time at night and I feel the same way like someone is shaking me awake and I do it all night long. I also feel more at ease to fall asleep on the couch or somewhere less threatning than my bed. You are not alone and I hope things get better and that you can have a great nights sleep soon!!!

Bella, When you wake up with a panic attack, do you wake up suddenly, as if someone was shaking you? I was doing better for a couple of weeks, and the last few days I fell back into my panic attacks. This time I try to sleep, and wake up with a start (or I gasp) as if someone scared me awake, and usually this is accompanied by a nightmare. I understand how you're feeling. I hope you get relief soon :)

Bella I used to do this all of the time.The more you want to sleep and the more you worry about going to sleep the more wound up you get and then the panic and anxiety kick in. It's a vicious cycle , but what I found to help me was just getting away from it all, it may not be possible for you but if you could take a vacation or even just take a long weekend maybe not even go anywhere but make up your mind that you are taking a break from everything that stresses you out. If you stay home no cooking or cleaning just relaxing and enjoying your family. When you do this and you don't have 'things' to do hanging over your head you will relax and remind yourself who cares if I don't sleep tonight because I can take a nap tomorrow if I feel like it. When I did this it took the pressure off of me to sleep at a certain time and for so many hours. Once I let it go I was able to sleep. Just try to not get yourself so worked up I know it's easier said then done , but maybe take this weekend off and nap whenever you can and on Monday you'll be feeling better.

Hi, I'm Lexi and I'm new to the group. Basically, for my entire life I've struggled with "generalized anxiety disorder and panic episodes." Or at least that was what my therapist and family doctor decided to call it. Basically, I have a heightened level of anxiety and get panic attacks that can last long periods. During these periods I throw up uncontrollably and develop a food fear. Sounds like a fun time, right? Well, this past summer I took on real counseling for the first time, as well as dedided to try an anxiety medication called Lexapro, to be taken daily. This was supposed to help prevent the panic attacks from happening. I was also given Lorazopam (Adavan or Atavin) in case prevention didn't work and I needed emergency meds in the midst of panic. So, that's me. I had 8 great months, and now I'm back in "rehab" as I like to call it. Bella, I just wanted to let you know that I see your post and yes, I have had panic attacks during sleep, as well as right in the morning when I wake up. It is unfortunate, but it happens. Let's all try to get out of these ruts together! :)

Dear Bella, Is this the first time you have experienced panic/anxiety? You should make an appointment to see your doctor. People experience panic/anxiety at many different times and places. Keep posting your thoughts and concerns. Susanne

Has anyone else experienced this? I go to sleep and within 20 minutes wake up with a panic attack. I do this all night long. I KNOW I CAN fall asleep without having one because I fell asleep on the couch last night, but then when it came time to go to bed....I get these. ANYONE ELSE????