Anxiety attacks before bed

I used to abuse prescription pills a few months back. One time i had felt like i could not swallow so I started to have a panic attack. I have been clean for a while now but still every now and then I still get anxiety right before bed. It is more common when I have a common cold because I already have breathing problems as it is. I am prescribed zoloft for other reasons but i was wondering if anyone knew what might be causing the anxiety or if there is anything i could do to help these anxiety problems. All feed back is appreciated!

Thanks,
Matt

[mammo]

Hi Matt. Those of us with anxiety often have triggers.  It sounds like you may have a fear of not being able to breathe when asleep. You may want to discuss this with your doctor to get a short acting anxiety medication to help you in the evening. Do some deep breathing exercises to help you relax, read, watch TV, anything to keep your mind occupied.  I think therapy would help as well to determine where this nighttime anxiety is coming from.  You won't stop breathing, and being at rest you will most likely breathe easier.  Even with a cold, we continue to breathe, and if we get too stuffy our mind will wake us to tend to the stuffiness, but we won't stop breathing. Talk to your prescribing doctor about this, you may need an increase in your medication or an anxiety medication, and therapy.  Most of us take the two as well, so you would not be alone!
Good luck and take care!