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Drinking to help what I believe is Anxiety..

Posted , 8 users are following.

amy-lee96782
amy-lee96782

Hi im Amy, 23.

I recently have been suffering with symptoms which i am not sure are 100% related to anxiety. I find myself short of breath, really nervous and scared of going to sleep. I often twitch whilst drifting off, my legs and hands mainly. It has gotten to the point where i feel i have to have an alcoholic drink in the evening to prompt me to sleep, surely this isnt right? I am currently on Propanolol and have been for a few weeks due to headaches, and apparently they are supposed to help anxiety too. I feel very nervous about sleeping, paranoid that my heart will give up on me due to beating so fast or something will happen with my head and headaches.

I would appreciate any help or advice as its not healthy nor normal to be drinking at 23 to the extent i do, to simply be able to sleep.

Thanks in advance.

Amy-Lee.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • RHGB
    RHGB amy-lee96782

    Posted

    How much do you drink a day? It makes a difference to the answer you will be given, please be honest.
    • amy-lee96782
      amy-lee96782 RHGB

      Posted

      I can drink upto a bottle. It's simply to get me to sleep.

    • vickylou
      vickylou amy-lee96782

      Posted

      Did this start as the one alcoholic drink needed to help you sleep? And has this now gone to a bottle of wine each night?
    • amy-lee96782
      amy-lee96782 vickylou

      Posted

      Yes, more or less.

      I walked straight past the wine isle in the shopping centre today as i refuse to carry on that way, as i dont want to become dependent on alcohol to sleep. I've picked up some Nytol as apparently that works, im willing to give anything a try at the minute if im honest.

    • Robin2015
      Robin2015 amy-lee96782

      Posted

      good idea to try and stop...IF you can cut down from one bottle of wine then SUPER...let us see how your night is? best of luck. Robin
  • gwen45436
    gwen45436 amy-lee96782

    Posted

    It sounds like classic Anxiety.  I, and quite a few on here have it.  The more you dwell on it the worse it gets.  I also am on proprananol  but for blood pressure but I still get anxious.  I have just started meditation and am finding that a huge help.

    Why don't you try tapering down.   Leave a glass in the bottle one night, then graduate to a little more left over.  This is what I have done.  The less you have the less you find you need.  Then keep it to a glass or two to help you sleep and relax you.

    And don't forget that smiling releases endorphins your feel good hormones, even if you are alone smile for the sake of it as long as you can, it will lift your mood.

  • sharon7979
    sharon7979 amy-lee96782

    Posted

    Try maybe some sort of excerise or meditation. Both will help boost your mind big time...i know though as well that its very hard at times though. Tapering down may also help as sometimes just stopping all together is very hard. Have you spoken to your doctor?
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