Im confused, please help?

Question

Ok so I have panic attacks when I go to bed, and I went to a doctor and was prescribed xanax but it isnt doing anything for me. In fact the attacks have been getting worse and now im afriad to get to bed at all. What do you think the problem could be?

Answer 1

Ask yourself:

1.) What am I taking in to my body 1 hour to 1/2 hour prior to going to bed?

Caffeine? other medications?
If "nothing" is the cause- perhaps you NEED to take something.

>Eat a little protein 1/2 hour prior- like an egg or a piece of chicken a can of tuna- to keep your blood sugar level.
Perhaps your metabolism needs a steadying.

2.) The attacks are getting worse BECAUSE you are afraid to go to bed.
No. This is not your fault. This is the unfortunate sight of a feedback loop- always self continuing.

You were afraid- you anticipate fear- this causes you fear- therefore you are afraid.

If you can find a way to break the cycle- just once- you will then have "evidence" that bedtime panic is not inevitable.

2.) When your medication is not working- tell your doctor.
I know. you may have 50 med changes in 6 months- but keep trying. something out there will help you.


If all else fails- you can try a 180 approch:

I know this sounds Weird- have you ever tried to "own" panic attacks?

I know it sounds impossible- but the mind is very powerful.
Your heart is pounding- adrainaline is coursing through your veins.. and you feel like you are going to just burst right where you are.

I am NOT by nature a thrill seeker. I sometimes feel panic AFTER social situations. No reason why I should. No logic plays into this.

I have some to this way to deal with it:

The "go limp" option.

If you have ever watched the movie / read the book DUNE- they have a very interesting think about fear:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litany_against_fear

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.



Here is the instruction: I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

It may sound strange- but it DOES work.
When you get the hang of it- you find yourself separated from what you body is doing in accordance to fear/panic. Like you are an observer watching the biological mechanics work. And say “ah yes. That is the effect of fear on the body” But do not own any of it yourself.

Good luck

Answer 2

What happened on your bed, or while you were asleep, sometime in your past? Do you have a recurring nightmare? You won't have panic attacks centered on your bed if nothing happened. You need to work with a psychiatrist and a therapist to get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, can you sleep elsewhere?

Xanax is a pretty effective pill for most of us. I'm surprised it's not working at all. Ask the dr. if you can raise the dose, or add a sleeping pill, or change the med. You've got to be able to sleep. Panic attacks get worse when the patient is tired and stressed out.

I'm very experienced, for a patient, in this type of disorder, as I have an anxiety disorder myself. If you want relief from this you need to see a psychiatrist (not a regular MD) to manage any medications, and work with a therapist to find the trigger to these attacks. Once you find the trigger, you'll be able to avoid it, and the attacks will go away.

TX Mom
Debbie

P.S. This is not your fault, it is not under your control. You find the trigger, then you correct the chemical imbalance (med) that the trigger uses to make panic attacks.

Mucho info: NAMI.org National Assn for Mental Illness. All the info you want or need on panic attacks and the treatment of them.

Answer 3

Gee you went to the doctor once. Big deal. Go back until you get the right help. AA drugs can take weeks to help. If one dr. doesn't help find a better one. Duh! As far as the problem (source) most likely it is something which you can avoid until you begin to quiet down at the end of the day. But it could be something about bed or night or dark or ... The problem is your brain misbehaving. That's certain. How you fix it is the question. In general both counselling AND medicine together are more effective than either separately.
It will take work - there is no magic bullet that will allow you to suddenly not be anxious. You will have to develop techniques whether you will need drugs too is unknown. I think biofeedback may also help. If you can find a good practitioner rather than all the quacks.

Answer 4

Why wouldn't you go back to your doc and tell him those particular pills aren't helping? Sometimes finding the right pill takes some experimenting. Try another one for heaven's sake. Everyones chemistry is different.

Answer 5

Dosage?
Where you on anything previously?
Klonopin might be a better alternative for you but I am shocked Xanax isn't working.

Answer 6

well i take buspar for mine but the last few days i have slowly been not takin them,, i think it is all about your environment and your stress level,, i feel leveled out so i think i am gettin better