Random fight or flight mode

Sometimes, I will just be sitting there watching TV... or I will be asleep and then I will wake up and all of a sudden my heart will start racing, I get all sweaty, and I feel intense fear. It's a terrible feeling when there's no reason for it... I won't even be thinking about anything... Sometimes It's so bad that even my jaw will start clenching. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

I get this.

I have always thought this was a symptom of my anxiety.

I agree with this. I believe it is anxiety. So many of us have it and it is manageable. I get panic attacks that feel like I'm having a heart attack. Its tough.

Hi annxo, have you seen your doctor to rule out a physical cause? I would get that checked first and then look at the possibility of it being anxiety related. You are not alone with this, panic attacks are very scary. You might find psychotherapy useful in coping with that.

One time I literally drove myself to the hospital because I thought something was wrong with my heart...I sat in the parking lot only to realize it was most likely anxiety. I guess I'm really wondering if this is bigger than anxiety... like some type of anxiety disorder.