[HelpNeeder]

Since my anxiety started I have been alternating between good days or weeks and bad days or weeks. When the bad days come they’re usually followed by extreme insomnia which only intensifies the whole problem. It’s so easy to forget the good days and feel hopeless those days. When I’m going through the bad days I usually get two particularly annoying thoughts that are very persistent in my head and unhelpful.

The first idea that keeps appearing in my head when I’m feeling anxious for days is: “This is it, I’m going to feel this anxious for the rest of my life. I’m doomed”. So far the anxiousness has always disappeared and the good days arrive until the next time.

The second annoying thought I get is that when I’m having difficulty sleeping and in some cases am not able to sleep for a whole night I start thinking: “This is it, I’m never going to be able to sleep again. I will be tortured until my body gives up and I die from lack of sleep”.

What I want to ask you guys is whether these thoughts aren’t entirely unreasonable. Is it possible for someone who suffers from anxiety to be stuck in a never-ending panic or anxious-state? Also, aside from super rare things like fatal familial insomnia, is it even possible for people with anxiety or insomnia to never to be able to fall asleep again? I know that once I had to go to the hospital after not being able to sleep for a few days and the injected me with something to calm my system down. I've never heard of someone dying because their body simply wouldn't let them sleep.

[ShiningOne]

Anxiety can be a vicious cycle and it has caused me to suffer from insomnia in the past as well. The feeling of impending doom and never-ending suffering are classic symptoms of anxiety (which are believed to be irrational and unhealthy). I think that instead of focusing on the negative aspects of these thoughts, you should focus on strategies and coping methods to neutralize the anxiety.

I know from a previous post that you are already seeing a psychiatrist for meds which is a good step in the healing process. Do you see a therapist as well?

I can also recommend a nice book that I've been reading lately:
Free Yourself From Anxiety: A Self-Help Guide to Overcoming Anxiety Disorders | Psych Central

[littlemiss44]

Yes anxiety can be very debilitating and last a long time. I have trouble sleeping...falling asleep is difficult and staying sleep too. I constantly worry that someone is going to break into my house and murder me...I worry something bad is going to happen with my daughter and boyfriend. Like them getting sick and die. My anxiety stems from growing up in a very dysfunctional family. I'm constantly worried...racing thoughts and tightness in my chest. I take xanex to help but u need an effective anti anxiety med. I'm currently in neurontin and it doesn't even touch my anxiety symptoms. I'm meeting with a pdoc tomorrow to discuss different meds to treat the anxiety. Yr feelings are valid and very real. You are not alone