waking up panicking?

so the other night i woke up in a mild panic immediately looking for my boyfriend, whom i sleep next to everynight, i cant seem to get this feeling out of my head. this is the first time this has ever happened to me and im 18. that feeling was horrible, it felt like i was dieing and panicking at the same time, i really cant describe it but im trying my best, im so scared that it will happen again, sometime im terrified of going to sleep just because of the chance that it might happen again, but i woke up immediately looking for my boyfriend, i dont know why but it was like i NEEDED to find him or to see him i really dont know whats going on but im scared. if anyone can help me find an answer please reply.

[SLadylani]

It sounds like you had the definition of a panic attack, which for some people, is one of the worst felings possible and can be described as feeling like you are dying or are literally scared nearly to death. In the long run I suggest you may try some journaling or possibly even therapy to find out why this attack happened when it did and identify if something triggered it. Did something with your boyfriend change that day? Did he say anything that reminded you of childhood? Anything is possible but something stirred you up. Since you're 18, a lot of people at that age can start to develop panic attacks when never having had them before. Perhaps it's from the stressors of teenage years and entering into adulthood and a combination of hormones, but you are at a typical age for anxiety problems. All this is just information, but what's most important is finding out how to provide you with some relief now! Do you live alone or are you still with your parents? I know what it feels like to be scarred to go to sleep. I personally, at times on and off in my life, have pretty severe anxiety with panic episodes and nightmares or panic attacks at night. I was actually going to bed but decided to come to this website becuase I'm feeling more anxious. I personally find relief with a combinatiion of tools, but do need medication that I take before I go to bed and during the day as needed. Generally it provides releif. Since your attacks seem to be so severe from your description, I do recommend you talk to a professional about this, a psychiatrist preferably who specializes in things like this, or at least your primary doctor. Can you make an appointment to see one of those? That way this can also be ruled out from other things such as PTSD-post traumatic stress disorder. In the meantime, are you pretty close with your boyfriend? Would you be able to call him and tell him about this? And further, would you be able to call him-without feeling guilt-in the middle of the night if this does occur again? just knowing that you have his permission to call at any hour may provide you with some releif, I know that has worked for me-I have called boyfriends in the middle of the night after nightmares, and they almost always faithfully answered my calls (light sleepers I guess). Really I suggest you tackle this fear, for the longer you give fear power over you, the weaker you'll feel and the more scarred you'll become. Come up with a plan of what to do if this happens again, knowing that you'll have someone to call and talk you through it. And think about what's the worst that could happen if this does occur again? You just go through the same feeling for a bit, but you've been through it before, so you know that this too shall pass. Remember fear is just a feeling and it cannot harm you. And the more you practice the opposite principle, faith, the less fear will control you. What do you have faith in today? Use that as your strength to get through this. Try journaling before you go to bed. Write about your fears until you are done and are ready to let them go so you can go to sleep without them. I hope this helps. But like I said, in the long haul this would be good to follow up with and further examined to find what triggered this fear in you in the first place. So those are my suggestins, take what works and leave the rest. I will be sending good thoughts and wishes for a peaceful night's rest tonight, and wish you good luck in getting through this. I hope you find this website helpful, it's a great resource and has great support forums, so write back if you'd like, we'd love to hear from you! Take care, :)

Sara RN

[socalforever1]

thanks it helped alot, i actually dont technically live with him but i am over his house all day and all night, i sleep next to him everynight, i dont sleep in my own bed anymore just his. from what i recall i cant remember him saying or doing anything, but all i know is waking up looking for him, like waking up from a deep sleep in order to find him, like a mission or something. hes my best friend, there isnt a day where im not with him, i tell him everything, he told me if it ever happens again to wake him up to comfort me, ill probally ask my doctor about this, thanks for your help it means alot to me:)

[jkw86]

If i have panic attack...that's when it usually happens, is waking up from sleep and having one. Not sure why...but it had happened quite a few times.

[SLadylani]

Glad my post could help :) And I'm glad you have the kind of boyfriend whose willing to do a wake up duty of providing comfort to his girlfriend once in a while! I hope sleep gets better for you and wish you the best of luck in the future. Best wishes and take care!

Sara RN