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Afraid to fall asleep: Anyone else have this problem?

Posted , 7 users are following.

dale39114
dale39114

For the past two months I've been having this fear of falling asleep. It's as if I can't convince my body it's safe to fall asleep. For some reason, my body senses danger at the moment I go from conscience to sleep. Just the thought of falling asleep causes my skin to tingle and my heart rate to increase. I know fear is irrational but for whatever reason my body thinks there is danger. I'm lucky if I get 2-4 hours of sleep per night. And when I wake up I feel like an emotional wreck.

Two years ago I had this problem but with the help of Paroxetine and Trazodone I was able to overcome this fear. I was taking 20mg of Paroxetine and 50 of Trazodone. This "fogged" my brain so I was able to relax and sleep. I've kept taking these drugs the whole time. I started taking 40mg of Paroxetine 4 days ago. I thought the added dosage would help fog my brain. It's as if the Paroxetine isn't working at all.

If anyone has or had this problem, please offer your input. Thank you

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • trudagh_04398
    trudagh_04398 dale39114

    Posted

    Sometimes I’m afraid to go asleep because of my anxiety even when I eventually go to sleep I sometimes wake up sweating and a feeling of dread 
  • helen68581
    helen68581 dale39114

    Posted

    Well Dale I was on a lower dose of venflaxine 37,5mg x 2 per day and felt OK then I went on a low after my wedding and my son leaving for Australia again. The doc put my dose up to 150mg per day and I don't feel it is working. I go to work but struggle socially so I don't speak to people much

  • jan34534
    jan34534 dale39114

    Posted

    Yes, I have had that feeling of not being able to fall and stay asleep.  The anxious brain is always on alert and we need to help it calm down.  We overthink when laying down quietly.

    what has helped me is listening to audio meditations for sleep or anxiety on you tube. I use earbuds for the best effect.   These teach you how to relax your mind and distract from your thoughts.   

    One is called River Boat Sleep-Guided Meditation for Relaxation and Sleep 

    It really calms my mind and body down!!

    Another is Detachment from Overthinking 

    Its better than fogging up your brain with medication.

    Many to choose from!!  😁??

     

  • danielddz
    danielddz dale39114

    Posted

    At the beginning of my anxiety I felt that way. Doesn’t sound abnormal for anxiety 
  • borderriever
    borderriever dale39114

    Posted

    Dale

    Sorry you seem to be going through such a rough patch.

    You could try Mindfulness, that may help you too sleep. I would be concerned to use Paroxatine to go to sleep with as I would prefer to use forms of relaxation to take myself over to sleep. The reason I say this is as you get used to the drug, you will possibly nee a higher dose over time to fall asleep.

    Talk to your GP and explain your fears, it may be possible to arrange some CBT that will introduce a none drug regime

    BOB

    • borderriever
      borderriever lori48558

      Posted

      Lori

      Sorry for the slow reply

      Talking Technique, you will discuss your problems a Therapist. There are various different techniques

      Dependant on you the Patient

      All the best

      BOB

  • lori48558
    lori48558 dale39114

    Posted

    OMG!!!!!  I just wrote to Dr Phil about this exact thing!!! I litterly  can not fall sleep with being knocked out. I'm not afraid of dying I'm not afraid of sleeping. But I just cant go from consciousness to sleeping. My body starts to fight sleep right at that moment your making the transfer. I get severe anxiety and panic attacks that will make me vomit. Have you figured out how to fix this? 

    • dale39114
      dale39114 lori48558

      Posted

      CBT = Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

      Yes. I was able to overcome my problem by doing a couple of things:

      1) I fell into the trap of the "what if" game. For me that meant what if I can't sleep tonight? No one can predict the future, so I realized playing this game only increased my anxiety. Instead I focused on the present.  I accepted my anxiety and allowed whatever feelings (feeling of dread, tingly skin, muscle twitches, etc.) to happen. This was  the key for me. Instead of fighting the anxiety, I accepted it and allowed it to happen. In less than a week my feelings started to decrease.

      2) Once I lay down in my bed, I picture myself drifting into sleep. At the same time I picture my body recovering and repairing itself. When you think about it, sleeping is the equivalent of batteries being recharged.

       

    • dale39114
      dale39114 borderriever

      Posted

      Thanks Bob. It wasn't easy. And for anyone reading this thread, NEVER place a time limit to recover. There's no magical recovery switch. If it takes a year to recover - so be it.

    • lori48558
      lori48558 dale39114

      Posted

      Thank you for the information. I am now trying to go from sleeping pills to natural remedies.

      Click here to view image

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