[Britestarr80]

I keep waking up from a sound sleep with anxiety and/or panic attacks. I've suffered from anxiety for years. Just recently it's gotten much worse. When I have panic attacks, it's quite frightening. I experience derealization, nothing seems real, like an out of body experience. Does anyone have any experience with this and have any suggestions for coping for making this go away? TIA for any help

[bearguardian]

From my experience.
Anxiety/panic attacks are impossible to drive away once they kick in. You just have to endure it. Best doing something that calms you, walking, meditating, resting... I can not do anything else during an episode.
There are things you can do to prepare for or prevent panics... like meds, again meditation, changing habits that you think are triggering or adding...
Thats it from me. But I still suffer. Maybe you will be more lucky.

[*Laurie*]

Hi, Are you on medication? Panic attacks are often a physical disorder that needs to be treated with medication.

[Britestarr80]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Hi, Are you on medication? Panic attacks are often a physical disorder that needs to be treated with medication.

Yes, I'm currently taking Citalopram 40mg, Wellbutrin XL 150mg and Alprazolam 0.25mg as needed

[*Laurie*]

Hmm. Does it seem like your meds are helping at all & does your pdoc know about your panic attacks?

[Britestarr80]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Hmm. Does it seem like your meds are helping at all & does your pdoc know about your panic attacks?

I saw her about 2wks ago, she checked my thyroid and that was normal and didn't get any other recommendations. I'm a hot mess..I've been going through a lot..I had twins a year ago and was diagnosed shortly thereafter with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I've been dealing with pain and inflammation on top of everything else while we trying to find out what works for the RA. I've had a lot of stressors in the last year, too on top of everything else.

[*Laurie*]

It sounds to me like you need a much closer relationship with your pdoc. Something's not right if you feel like a hot mess only 2 weeks after your appointment.

Sometimes I wake up with panic/anxiety attacks. Usually when thoughts of something I'm afraid of while awake visit me while I'm about to sleep. People suggested meditation. Maybe you can try that beside medications.

[Britestarr80]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

It sounds to me like you need a much closer relationship with your pdoc. Something's not right if you feel like a hot mess only 2 weeks after your appointment.

It's been going on much longer than that, and she's aware.

I can do nothing about the attack when I am in the throws of having one. However, as soon as I again become aware of my surroundings I concentrate on them. What is against my skin? How does it feel? What colour is it. Is it stitched? How does it fit? I move outward, practicing this 'mindfulness', until I am eventually aware of the room or space I am in. If I can, I write down everything I can remember about the situation - the trigger, how long did I think I might have been in the attack (and disociated if this happens), and anything else of note my pdoc should know about.

I have a heavy bean bag that I place over my shoulder when I am anxious. It provides me comfort. When I am coming off an attack, thinking about this weight on my shoulder is very soothing.