Waking in Terror

[Nikki2012]

Does anyone else wake with severe anxiety? What do you do? Thanks

 

[Kubash16]

Yes! Very much so. I have frequent nightmares that fill me with absolute terror. I got a weighted blanket, which helps, I feel for my dogs and will snuggle tighter with them, I write out the dream in total detail on here- that helps a lot to remind myself it was just a dream. I also process it with some of the other people on here or if it’s bad enough I will talk it over with T and we’ve even done EMDR with some of them.

Also getting up to walk around for a sec helps to pull you out of it and back into reality.

 

[Nikki2012]

I snuggle with my dog, too. She is a gift. I have to get up because, it goes right trough my system and I have to go to the bathroom. Nice to know you can work on things on this site. I have been doing EMDR, and it has helped me not have as many severe moments when waking up. I have trouble remembering the dream, because I am too in the PTSD. I have always had trouble journaling. I know many get relief. If I can get to my tears I feel better. Thanks for connecting.

 

[MrMoonlight]

What do you do?

Sorry, you wake like that, I know it's awful. I tend to wake at an early morning hour which gives me the option to just stay awake and get on with my day. I get in the shower which for me helps ground and calm.

Sometimes distraction helps too.

 

[Nikki2012]

I’m sorry you have a similar experience, too. We do a lot of the same things. I like mornings so Imget up early. It is much easier, now that I am retired and don’t have to stuff back my feelings,to get through the day at work. I retired early to work on my healing. I have gotten better at caring about myself, less worry about what others think. Yes, distractions can be good. Then, there are times I know I have to sit an feel it.

 

[EveHarrington]

I did this morning so I canceled a few things so I could sleep more, then I woke up and pushed forward with a lot of self talk. I took a higher dose of my anxiety meds. The day ended up being pretty good.

 

[Friday]

Sho sho.

If it’s just a nightmare or panic attack? I take a shower or go swimming. The wet reset ;)

If I don’t know? I run a quick sweep. Loved ones whole, house secure, perimeter secure, vehicles secure, etc. IE looking for what bolted me awake. More than enough times in my life waking up in terror has had due cause for me to ignore it.

Occasionally a nightmare or panic attack has been triggered because of something in the real world kicking all my alarms to sluggish screaming. Not enough to actually wake me, but enough to run riot in my dreams. That has a different “feel” on waking, like I’m forgetting something important, than either waking up from a nightmare or panic attack -or- waking up for unknown cause. So I’ve learned to suss out the real world before climbing into hot or cold water, just to save trouble. Hearing someone in the kitchen whilst naked in the shower is a slippery do that I’d rather have done before just assuming it was my sleep on sideways.

 

[Nikki2012]

I did this morning so I canceled a few things so I could sleep more, then I woke up and pushed forward with a lot of self talk. I took a higher dose of my anxiety meds. The day ended up being pretty good.

Sounds like you took good care of yourself, glad your day ended better.