Around midnight I start having paranoia and anxiety is it because I’m sleepy and how can I calm myself?

[Anonymous]

I always had trouble with anxiety. I never learned how to control my anxiety attacks and calm myself down. A couple years back I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder. About a year ago I was feeling pretty good and with my psychiatrist’s approval I stopped taking my medication and stopped going to see her altogether (because my parents were so desperate for me to be “normal” again and not dependent on therapy) These past months I started to struggle with my mental health again. My sleep schedule is not doing so good as well. Usually I would go to bed around 11pm-12am now it’s more like 3am-4am. After midnight I started to have constant paranoia like I feel like something’s going to burst out of my door and attack me and I keep imagining senarios about me being attacked and seeing creepy smiles and stuff. For hours after midnight I constantly feel anxious and in a flight or fight mode. Those this happen because I’m sleepy because I don’t feel sleepy. (It might also be because I’ve been listening to a lot of true crime podcasts) Also how can I calm myself because it also makes it harder for me to sleep and close my eyes, I feel like if I close my eyes I’m gonna be attacked and caused me insomnia.

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

First of all, I’d get back on your medication. Anxiety is a disorder where you overproduce cortisol, if the disorder is based on environmental factors then getting out of that environment can help but only if that’s the case. Otherwise it’s something that needs to be managed with medication and there’s nothing wrong with that. You’re not “not normal” for taking it, if that’s the case then my mother is some kind of freak for taking depression medication. If you were not advised by a medical professional to get off your meds, you shouldn’t get off of them.


Second of all, it’s not surprising you’re experiencing more anxiety at night. When your body has a reason to feel bad (need to sleep, eat, feeling lonely, etc.) it’s going to make you think bad thoughts. Your thoughts are not your consciousness, your brain comes up with insane shit all the time like a pop-up ad on a computer without adblock. The medication is the equivalent of adblock for most by the way. Something that might help you is this: just laying still for 20 minutes with your eyes closed carries the same physical benefits as a 20-minute power nap. Rest is what you need and what you can do if your mind isn’t letting you sleep. Count the seconds in your head, or better yet count your breaths. 1 on the inhale, 2 on the exhale, 3 on the inhale, 4 on the exhale, and so on until about 1200 (which is about 20 minutes). Try to focus as best you can and know that just resting is still doing your body good even if you can’t sleep right then and there.

[Anonymous]

I struggle with depression/anxiety as well, not so much depression but definitely anxiety. My anxiety also kicks in at night. I'd go back to seeing your psychiatrist because anxiety is a disorder like someone else already said here. There's nothing to be ashamed of. I have friends on the same boat. Millions of people suffer from this.

[BetaBucks]

Any history using benzodiazepines or alcohol? Enough to where you could be experiencing protracted withdrawal or PAWS? Are you exercising regularly? Do you have any history of trauma related to sleep or late nights?