SCARY sleep sensation. Please help

Thank you, that helps a lot! It's just weird because at night i'm not in panic mode, so it's weird how it would just happen for no reason. I am having a lot of depressing feelings because I am so worn out from getting no sleep. This is the fourth night I have had bad sleep and before this I would get 8 hours of sleep now it's down to 3 :'(( just hoping it will pass soon and hoping there's not anything wrong with me medically.

Hi Emily,

You don't need to be in panic mode in order to have an attack. Your underlying anxiety about sleeping will kick in automatically when you go to bed, and cause all these symptoms.

I used to suffer from sleep anxiety when I was young, and I learned to take minimal doses of an over-the-counter antihistamine to help me sleep at bad times. However, you should check whether your parents agree.

The older ones, like promethazine, chlorphenamine and diphenhydramine  are best for this purpose, as they make you more sleepy. (Can't give you the brand names as they're different in the US, where you seem to be.)

However, if you want to try any of these, take them in the smallest possible dose, and not every night. You can quickly develop tolerance to antihistamines, just like prescription sleeping pills. The thing is to take them for maximum three consecutive nights, just to give yourself some respite, then tough it out for the next week.

Also, antihistamines should be taken about an hour before bedtime. Their effect is quite weak, so if you take them when you get into bed, they'll take an hour to kick in, by which time you'll be too anxious about not sleeping to fall asleep anyway. Also, you shouldn't repeat the dose if you wake during the night, as they'll make you feel groggy the next day if taken too late.

Obviously, all the usual "sleep hygiene" measures are useful too. By this I mean no coffee, coke or so-called "energy drinks" after 2pm, and no tea either if you're particularly susceptible to it, no screen use in the last hour before bed, and not falling asleep with the TV on. Also, try and get a reasonable amount of exercise during the day, even just walking.

You'll come through this, but it's going to take a while now the underlying anxiety has taken hold.

It's just such a scary sensation and I am mortified to sleep tonight knowing

this could possibly happen. I am probably going to a doctor for mental help, do you think doctors will know what this is or have anyway to help? I can't even fully explain what it feels like. Just I get so tired and then when I feel like I could be sleeping I just lay there and it feels like my eyes are rolling back and a surge goes through my body and I just have to sit through it. Ugh, it is good to know you were a neuro nurse. It makes me feel better.

Hi Emily,

The doctors will understand it, but will prescribe antidepressant medications that may have side-effects and will be difficult to withdraw from. If at all possible, it would be preferable to manage this yourself. If not, then accept medical treatment.

Your condition is not dangerous. Two hours of sleep per night is the minimum to maintain health (though not feelings of well-being). Your choice.

You better to know the system called tapering before starting to use antidepressants or antipsychotics.Read surviving antidepressants forum for all the information.

Well said, apu. I wish more doctors would make this clear before prescribing these drugs.

Thank you Lily.You are being very helpful to people.I appreciate very much.You are my inspiration.

I do see how it is panic now. Last night it was a different sensation. I would dose off and would be alert in a panic and it would happen and stop and happen! I went to cardiologist and they instantly told me to get my thyroid levels checked. Hoping this resolves soon, I miss my sleep:'

Yes, a thyroid check would make sense, just to exclude all possible physical causes. But don't pin too many hopes on that. It's highly unlikely that someone your age would have an overactive thyroid gland. Maybe a check-up with a sleep specialist too, as Phil suggests.

Don't let any of this stop you working on your hidden anxiety levels, which are by far the most probable cause of your current problems. If you can't get this under control yourself, CBT is the best route, provided you can find a properly trained therapist who is right for you. Too many half-trained people have been jumping on the CBT bandwagon since it became "fashionable". Antidepressants and other psychiatric medications should be the last resort, as Apu has pointed out.

What is CBT? I am new with this stuff very unsure.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It's a guided form of mindfulness. (You can google all these terms.) However, it involves a great deal of work from the patient, in recognising and acknowledging what is going on in their own mind. It's a longer, slower process than popping a pill, but comes without side-effects and withdrawal problems and, if successful, has lasting effects. Basically, you have to learn a new way of thinking.

Hi! So I finally did get some better sleep. But now I am concerned about something else lol, thought you could give your advice. I keep getting random feelings of panic for no reason at all, it just will hit me and then it goes away.Ill just be sitting down and all of a sudden it feels like when you are falling in a dream and you jolt awake, then it happens a few times and makes me very anxious. Is this something neurological? Or does it tie into my anxiety and panic issues? I am just confused because it happens for no reason and it is a icky sensation! 

Hi Emily,

This is also typical of panic attacks. Get a general medical check-up if you haven't already, but focus on understanding your underlying anxiety as well.