Hello and welcome,

Sounds to me like you are having panic attacks. Try and do some breathing excersices and meditation before bed.

We have a panic attack forum, where I will move this and see if you can get some help there.

You may actually be experiencing a sugar problem from your hormones. Try eating some protein before you go to sleep, perhaps some cheese or a hard boiled egg, and see if that helps.

Hi, I can see a couple problems going on here. The first is easy to solve. You're setting yourself up for disturbed sleep by falling asleep the way you do on a chair or sofa. I take it this means before your bedtime. But whether it's before or not, what happens is you wake up in an hour or so and your brain doesn't know what's going on. Maybe you've already entered a dream phase. Whatever the case, your brain gets confused. I'm sure this isn't all of the problem but it surely makes it worse.

You need to stay awake and alert until your normal bedtime. It will help if it's not too early so you're really tired when you do go to bed. Then go to sleep in your bed, in the dark and your chances of staying asleep will be greater. You may still wake up with a panic attack but I bet your period of sleep will get longer and longer.

The other issue is breathing. You should learn slow breathing and do it for 15 minutes before bedtime. Then do it immediately again when you wake up disturbed. There's nothing that will relieve you more than this. It's the ultimate coping mechanism.

But this has to be learned the right way. I recommend the Breatheasy system. It combines slow breathing with music. Nothing else like it. You can get free instructions plus an online audio demo at http://www.control-your-blood-pressure.com /demo.html

i suffer from this as well and im in my early twenties. i think when there are things on your mind or if your stressed out about something its always going to be in the back of your mind. i have been having strange sensations like this in the night. definatly try breathing exercises when this happens and just tell yourself that your going to be ok. say a prayer or ask God to be with you and he will be. Im not a religious fanatic, but a little prayer when your feeling like this can help.

I get that too about an hour after I fall asleep - most nights. I was on an anti-dep years ago that stopped it entirely, and after getting off them I didn't have it again until about a year ago. They just started coming back just a few days ago on a nightly basis. I am 12 weeks pregnant. I think for the most part these are due to hormones and being tired. They are scary, but harmless.

hi i was woundering if someone might help figure this out. when i go to bed at night i will fall asleep tummy down and head turn to the side and then i wake up yelling for my husband and trying to grab something cause i feel like i cant feel my body and after about 5 min or so then im ok. is this a panic attack or no? wolves

No, it's called sleep paralysis. I get this about 70% of the time if I sleep on my back, it's nothing to worry about.

I'm experiencing the close to the same thing. I suffer from claustrophobia and the panic attack feels like the same thing. I'll get up and usually go for a walk at 2:00 a.m. This is starting to affect my days. No sleep for about a week now. This comes on at bedtime and does not go away until early morning hours.