Panic attacks at bedtime

Hi Kelly2004

So am I right in thinking that your panic attacks are brought on by your imagination? That is, when you imagine your kids being alone, you get highly anxious?

That of course, is a perfectly normal reaction to a thought such as this. Here's a couple of things you can try:

1) At a time when you are awake (not in bed) and feeling OK, sit down and make a proper contingency plan for what would happen if you were to actually die. If you can't do it on your own, ask a friend to help. It may be embarrassing to admit you have been thinking about it, but if you bite the bullet and go for it you may well find it makes a big difference.

2) Deliberately imagine not waking up at other times - when you are just sitting watching TV for example. When you do this, say to yourself "I am using my imagination to scare myself". You can even imagine yourself sitting on the sofa with a thought bubble coming out of the top of your head. The idea is that you stop being scared to think the thought, then it will lose its power over you.

I hope this helps and the best of luck to you

Roger

I know how your feeling i have been like it for 5 years and its driving me up the wall. I just want to be able to take my children for outings but carnt because i am so scared of how I am. I even went back to the doctors because I had a couple of really bad nights with the panic attacks I really thought that I was having a heart attack so I got him to check my heart and lungs but he assured me there was nothing wrong it was just the panic. I am seriously thinking about seeing a hypnotis because I have tried all sorts and find nothing helps me. I find lavender is very calming. I just wanted you to know that your not alone.
keep well
sharon