Hey! I used to do this. Sometimes I still do. Mine is a little different. Typically, when i lay down, i get super anxious. i dont have to be worried, i could be happy. Then i will finally fall asleep and about an hour later, wake up in a full panic attack. this usually consists of my whole body going stiff, my heart rate spiking, chills, total freak out. As time went on, I got less afraid of sleeping. I still have episodes, but they typically arent terrible. Also if something startles me awake, like someone accidentally slamming a door while im asleep, it will send me into a panic attack as well.

I have been waking up about 2 hours after falling asleep. How do you get back to sleep again?

really, sometimes i dont. my heart rate gets so high that i just get too "excited" sometimes i have to get up and do something. usually though, i just go lay down. slow my breathing. and drift off. if i can get my heart rate lowered i can typically go back to bed.

I used to have this problem to sleep deprivation levels. Insomnia still hits me now and again, but at levels that let me shrug and say, "That's why God invented naps." There are pleasant aspects to a mild insomnia buzz.

A dream journal combined with active psychotherapy were my ticket to resolving the issues far enough to get the healing ball rolling. I kept a notebook and pen by my bed so that I could record my dreams and nightmares before they began to fade. The dream journal guided us in what we needed to work on in psychotherapy.

Eventually a therapy journal took the place of my dream journal. Writing out my anxieties of the day made it possible to resolve them far enough that they didn't invade my dreams.

Gentle support while you find what works for you, Mattie. A restorative rest sure makes a big diff in the physical and emotional well-being.

I had been doing pretty well with sleep-taking a natural supplement called somnapure and doing this tapping video on yourtube--or maybe just listening to their 10 hr deep sleep music-but last night I woke up about 2 hrs after going to sleep with the most primal fear--heart racing-crying--I was a mess--I started deep breathing-which stopped the immediate attack--but then I couldn't sleep, so I watched silly, happy youtube videos until I passed out at about 4am or so---and this was on klonopin! its like anxiety can totally possess you when you sleep--because you have no distractions and logical thought doesn't come easy at 3am!

I am on nearly the same drugs and I have difficulty getting to sleep each night. As soon as the light goes off all of my fears, guilt, and shame come back. I get depressed over this and very nervously fall asleep about two hours after going to bed. I relive all of my depressions nightly. So we have simular experiences

Sometimes the meds can cause sleep issues and sweating along with anxiety. Let your doctor know what is happening. Sometimes I will shower right before bed which can help me sleep better. Or listen to soothing music. Are you having nightmares? Or do you find you wake up often throughout the night and have to pee? The reason I ask is because nightmares are one thing, but if you wake up throughout the night, sweats, heart pounding or out of breath, this could be a medical condition like sleep apnea or other sleep condition which requires medical attention. I hope you feel better soon. Best wishes.