I have panic attacks when I attempt to fall asleep

[AnonymousScaredPerson]

I've been suffering from an anxiety disorder for 2 years now. It's gotten gradually worse and when I thought it would all get better it became worse. Lately it's been distrupting my sleep. Whenever I go to sleep I have a panic attack. Be it due to my palpitations, be it due to worry about a high pulse rate or due to head pain it doesn't really matter. I can't sleep and it's been destroying my life. I've been so tired for the past months since I've started high school and I don't know what to do. No matter what I do the moment I go to bed something keeps me awake and I end up back on the computer, trembling in fear that I'm going to die. This time I'm afraid that I'm going to have a heart attack due to my blood pressure(130/80) and I've been having all sorts of symptoms from head pressure to head pain to elevated heart rate to blurred vision(Then again it is 3 in the morning and I haven't slept in a while)

I'm tired of this and if I don't get help soon enough it might become worse. Is there a way to get treatment? I know I should tell my GP but I don't know what to tell her. Is there a special way to tell her in a way so that my parents wouldn't have to find out? Also, is my blood pressure normal?

[AnonymousScaredPerson]

1. I'll try and do so.

2. I attempt not to eat before bed and last night was no different. I did eat 4 hours before going to sleep though.

3. I don't have insomnia. I am sleepy, it's just that when I attempt to fall asleep I have a panic attack which makes me unable to sleep due to being to scared to do so. I end up going to sleep at 4 or 5 in the morning and wake up feeling tired and having a headache.

[homebrews]

You have nothing to fear.  The staple for blood pressure is 120/80...130/80 would be considered completely normal.

There's a few things you can try:
1) Get some good exercise during the day...take up something like running...something that wears your body down, and makes your body crave sleep.  You'd be surprised how many things a litttle exercise can help cure.

2) Do you eat right before you do to bed?  It's natural for your body's HR to jump after eating something.  So if you're eating in bed or within an hour of going to bed, your HR is going to be elevated, because all of the muscles in your digestive system need blood/oxygen.  

3) I don't recommend this, as you can become dependent, but if you're insomnia is killing you, you can always get an OTC sleep aid.  I take one only when there's no other alternative...which is very, very rare.

My advice...exercise, eat right (no sweets/caffeine) right before bed, and just try to relax.  You're not going to die of a heart attack in high school.  The chances are better you'll be hit by lightning :)