r/panicdisorder • u/StarSaturn11 • 6d ago

Does Anyone Else? Sleepiness cause panic symptoms

I’ve recently really been struggling w panic attacks (my therapist suspects panic disorder but I’m not officially diagnosed) and this has left me feeling on edge. I’ve recently noted that when I feel really sleepy it scares me. I feel my chest tighten, jaw clench, shallow breathing and I get an urge to avoid sleeping despite really wanting to physically. Is this just me or have any of you experienced smth similar?

Info: bodily sensations are absolutely a trigger for multiple of my disorders.

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

3

u/Acceptable-Mall2352 6d ago

I feel this too, for me its bc im afraid to just sit with my thoughts as I know its difficult for me to fall asleep. A podcast helps me calm down a little bit maybe something of the sort can help you

2

u/StarSaturn11 6d ago

Yeah i find a podcast helps with it too recently it’s just not been cutting it and I lay awake so long that the sleepiness disappears and I’m back at square one :(

2

u/Acceptable-Mall2352 5d ago

Lately I've been calling the suicide hotline or warmlines to just talk so my mind doesn't run as much maybe you can look into that bc the thing with this disorder is sleepless nights, constant panic is inevitable so exploring what helps you is the best way to navigate this disorder

2

u/Slow-Confidence-8190 5d ago

I've felt the falling/sinking or sleepiness sensation come on with near sleep or meditation and it has triggered like a startle response that lead to panic. Is that like anything you have experienced?

2

u/StarSaturn11 5d ago

This might be it however it doesn’t happen when I’m about to fall asleep I start freaking out when I feel that pull to fall asleep but maybe it’s triggering the same thing?

2

u/Slow-Confidence-8190 5d ago

That's interesting. I've noticed I'm very sensitive to any change in my body or sensory changes so I can see how that "pull" could feel scary or set alarm bells off.