anxiety panic attacks

[doodlebug1234]

Have panic attacks in he middle of the night. Every night at the same time going out of my mind. Am on meds, but Xanax is the only help any I don't want to get dependent on them. Would like to talk to someone. Just like to hear if anyone else has this problem

[Obayan]

I don't have anxiety attacks, but I do know about being afraid. And being alone. If this is happening to you the same time every night, I can't help but think that the time leading up to the occurance is becoming one full of fear of what is going to happen at that set time. And I do know that can make it worse. What I do, is i carry a key to my daughter's house in my pocket. When I feel overwhelmed or feel unsure, i hold that key in my hand. That key tells me there is somewhere in this world where i am loved, wanted and needed. It calms me. I carry it all the time so that any time i need it, it's there. Even when i don't need it, i know it's there. Maybe there is something small like that you can carry with you? Something that has some kind of meaning for you for that time leading up to what is going to happen?

[doodlebug1234]

tHANK YOU FOR ANSWERING ME.I FEEL SO ALONE AT TIMES . PEOPLE JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND I GO TO DOCTORS ALL THE TIME FOR HELP, BUT I AM STILL SUFFERING. LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU THank you

[Obayan]

When you feel the anxiety coming on, grab an ice cube. Hold it in your hand. Squeeze it as tight as you can. Concentrate as hard as you can on how it feels, the shapes it makes as it melts, etc. It sounds silly, but it works. It's a good distraction for the mind and helps you get thru the anxiety.

[doodlebug1234]

Thanks for the ice cube info. I will try anything at this point. Am feeling anxious now Hoping it will go away so I can sleep It usually just gets worse and I feel like I need to go to the hospital for some type of relief

[balcony]

doodlebug, "Hello", I am sorry to hear that you are suffering so much at night. I think though the fact that it is happening at the same time every evening is significant. The body often acts on a schedule even if we don't think it does. Have you tried recording exactly what you do each evening before you go to sleep? I wonder if there is a similar pattern to your routine. If so, I would suggest playing around with the routine and really trying some new activities while you are awake to see if that changes or alters what happens at night. Thinking of you...