General anxiety,ocd ,fear of death and dying in sleep...

[Kriss000777]

So I've usually been very neurotic since my childhood etc.During my highschool years being isolated and not having any friends made things worse.Now that I look behind I've always struggled with ocd and anxiety,but for the last year it has been really bad for me.So bad that I started having panic attacks.After 2 or 3 episodes of having panick attacks I visited a psychiatristbwhich put me on 10mg of escitalopram(lexapro) per day and the sudden panic attacks and ocd went away gradually.But now I have this constant fear of dying,usually this happens before I sleep.I thave these intrusive thoughts of having a heart attack during sleep and dying,or having a stroke and dying from brain damage.I've always had some concerns about death,ceasing to exist etc.bit when I go to sleep thoughts become worse.
Sorry for the long post,from anyone in similar circumstances,how can I manage these things?

 

[stygianiron222]

i think you should talk to a psychiatrist/psychologist to help you work it out, in the meantime it might work to do some breathing excersises before you go to sleep. well done for being brave and reaching out

 

[EclipticNight]

I can give you some logic and science to try to help you out.

If you had a heart attack or stroke it would wake you up. My uncle had a stroke when asleep and it did wake him. A heart attack is uncomfortable to painful so you would wake from that. The younger you are and wether you do a lot of cardio the chances of a heart attack lessen. Im 36, fat, dont eat right, use lots of butter and will eat fat on meat if it tastes good and thus far i am fine, i had my heart checked last year. Im also sedentary.

I dont know enough about strokes to be detailed, only that in all the stories i have heard you would wake up because you feel weird. Maybe someone else here knows more.

As for non existence, the idea is scary at first but think of it this way. How did you feel when the dinosaurs were around? You didnt. Before you were born you were never once afraid or in pain, you just were not there. After death, if no afterlife happens it will be the same, you wont feel fear or pain. It will be no different than how you felt 200 years ago.

When you go to sleep remember that death is not something to fear. You will wake up. Id bet my life on it.

 

[Kriss000777]

Thanks man helps a lot.As I mentioned in my earlier post anxious minds tend to overthink .Me included.

 

[itsmeagain]

So I've usually been very neurotic since my childhood etc.During my highschool years being isolated and not having any friends made things worse.Now that I look behind I've always struggled with ocd and anxiety,but for the last year it has been really bad for me.So bad that I started having panic attacks.After 2 or 3 episodes of having panick attacks I visited a psychiatristbwhich put me on 10mg of escitalopram(lexapro) per day and the sudden panic attacks and ocd went away gradually.But now I have this constant fear of dying,usually this happens before I sleep.I thave these intrusive thoughts of having a heart attack during sleep and dying,or having a stroke and dying from brain damage.I've always had some concerns about death,ceasing to exist etc.bit when I go to sleep thoughts become worse.
Sorry for the long post,from anyone in similar circumstances,how can I manage these things?

When you try to sleep, use relaxation techniques eg muscle tense then relax, top of head, work down neck chest abdomen, legs etc.
Relax or play soothing music.

 

[EclipticNight]

Thanks man helps a lot.As I mentioned in my earlier post anxious minds tend to overthink .Me included.

Happy to help! I overthink things all the time myself, then get myself all freaked out over everything i keep thinking of.