Nightime anxiety and pranoia

[Kimberlee Sullivan]

Does anyone else here suffer from anxiety that goes off the charts at night. Mine skyrockets when the sun starts to set and then when I try to go to bed I also get paranoid , like something or someone is going to kill me. I mean like horror/psychological thrillers with me as the target. This is a relatively new phenomenon and I just wanted some feedback from others to see if I am the only one and if not, any suggestions?

[Kimberlee Sullivan]

I also suffer some paranoia during the day, not as much, but things like; I will look in my car behind seats and stuff before I get in and going out after dark terrifies me, which is a problem now that it gets dark at like 4. Even my dogs want to go to bed at 6:30.

[NG]

Hi Kimberlee,
I experienced some of this with my last episode. I listened to a lot of really mellow music, in fact I have a CD called "Golden Spa Tones" that's really nice but I can't listen to it anymore because I played it so much during that time. They have a name for an increase in anxiety, confusion etc at night ...it's called Sundowners. It happens a lot in hospitals. My mom got it pretty bad the last few times she was in the hospital. You are not alone.

My therapist also wrote on a piece of paper very simply: I am safe, I am loved, I am ok. I read that over and over. Anything that helps you get through. At that time I couldn't watch anything on TV 'cause everything freaked me out. I was taking a lot of anxiety medication at the time too but slowly my dose was lowered. If I took that much now, I'd be passed out all day...lol

[withavengeance]

What about paranoia during the day? I have that. Used to only get it from smoking weed back in the day, that's why I never cared for it.

[NG]

Paranoia during the day, I would try to use the same things I do when I get anxious during the day. Deep breathing, telling myself that I'm safe and I'm ok, music to whatever suited my mood (can you tell music is a big part of my wellness?). I don't know...if all else failed I guess I would take a xanax but I would try the other stuff first since I'm trying to cut back on everything ending in a pam...no offense ;-)

[Kimberlee Sullivan]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I just feel so helpless and overwhelmed when this happens, which in turn heightens my anxiety.

[Geri]

Wow, I thought I was the only one who experienced this. I didn't attribute it to the bipolar (I was diagnosed late), but is something I'll keep an eye on. Now that I think about it, the sensation lessened quite a bit when I got the med mix I've been stable on for 5 years. For years, I would occasionally have a night where I couldn't get to sleep without checking all the locks, sometimes barricading the door & keeping the lights on. I knew it was irrational, but couldn't fall asleep otherwise. Other times, I felt certain if I went to sleep I would not wake up. So, I would stay up all night then felt comfortable enough to crash during the day. I did notice that it helped lift the depression, as it seemed to happen during my depressive episodes.

Since, as you state, Kimberlee, that this is a new phenomenon, I wonder - have you started new meds or changed dosages? Either way, it's certainly something to bring up with the psychiatrist or therapist. Hope it goes away for you. It's frightening & exhausting.

~Geri~

[Kimberlee Sullivan]

I do all of those things including the if I go to sleep I (or my mom, who lives with me0 won't wake up. We are tweaking my meds, but it is so exhausting.

[Kimberlee Sullivan]

I thought I was the only one too. It took complete frustration, exhaustion and desperation for me to post this here.

[Betty]

I also have been having some paranoid throughts but mine has been at night. I always look in the back seat when I get in the car thinking someone could be hiding.I work nights so its dark when I leave. You would think I would lock the door on the car before hand but I never do.Just lately I think someone may come through our basement door and up into the house and kill us in bed. My husband is nery good about giving me comfort. He put a large stick near the bed and said that would help if anyone tryed to get in. Now mind you I live in a very safe place. But then its the people who things happen to.I go to therpy next week so ill mention it.This is something pretty new.