Sleep panic

My stomach jumps up every time I catch myself falling asleep. And I do it on purpose. Like I catch myself drifting off, think of my stomach, and then it jumps like when you get really scary news. I know the ERP for this is to just accept the discomfort and allow it to keep happening until I fall asleep, but the discomfort is SO EXTREME because you’re basically going from a very relaxed state to being hit with panic. And you feel it, not just think it. All in a matter of one second. It’s cruel!

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

I'm sorry u have a problem getting to sleep. Have u tried doing some stretching before u go to bed. I stretch my back and my legs most every night before I go to bed. Actually, it's really morning for me because most of the time I don't go to bed until sometime after midnight. If I can't sleep sometimes I stand up and hold my arms out. Then, I close my hands so they are tight and move my shoulders up to my neck. I hold my shoulders then for at least 5 seconds and then pull my arms back behind moving my shoulders. I do this like 3-5 times at least. Sometimes I also massage my neck and shoulders. This helps me relax. Also, you could try drinking sleepytime tea. It has Camomile in it to help u relax. Otherwise, you could try saying something like" I'm a grown-up. I'm in charge of my brain. I tell you No. My answer is No. I got this idea from my therapist. You could also say, OCD I'm not paying attention to you. I don't want to hear you. You are just giving me a hard time. I hope this helps you. Sometimes u might want to try breathing in an out slowly.

SomaticSun🌤️

Date posted: 1y

@Anonymous Thank you! I can do all of that. (Except the breathing one, that’s one of my somatic hang-ups.) Thanks again

Vennanigans

Date posted: 1y

It is cruel!

Lari1974

Date posted: 1y

This has happened to me. Not sure if it’s on purpose, but I get scared many times that I’ll drift and not wake up. Probably why I have a hard time sleeping

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

Welcome!

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y

I'm sorry to hear that. I'll pray for you. I think you should talk to your doctor about that just to be on the safe side.

SomaticSun🌤️

Date posted: 1y

I’m just afraid it will keep happening or keep me awake all night. I never, ever worried I’m dying or I won’t wake up. Not waking up Would mean no OCD And every now and then It sounds good to me ^ A depressing poem

c444tmommy

Date posted: 1y

this happens to me but instead of my stomach it’s my heart i’m concerned about i think i feel a sensation and literally jolt awake thinking im about to have a heart attack

TrustGod24

Date posted: 12w

ERP

I’m thinking about doing erp but my ocd is so severe the thought of accepting my fears happening to me makes me sick to my stomach. I also believe in the power of my words and saying I accept this Bad thing will attract it into my life. I’m not sure what I should do🥲

baukje

Date posted: 11w

Erp for insomnia ?

I have, alongside my other OCD themes, an intense fear of insomnia. Although this has been improving somewhat — partly thanks to medication and The sleep school on YouTube — I still find myself ruminating about it throughout the day when I have something important the next day, I get stuck in the fear that everything will be ruined — for both myself and others — because my mind is so preoccupied with sleep. + a fear of depression coming back. It honestly feels like a form of sleep OCD. I'm not sure if that’s an official thing, but that’s how it feels to me. A form of erp is the idea of befriending wakefulness. That works great tbh. Things like sleep hygiene, meditation, etc. — tend to backfire because my OCD latches onto them and becomes too obsessive about “doing them right.” I’m genuinely wondering whether ERP — for example in the form of a worst-case-scenario audio loop (imaginal exposure) — could be helpful in this case. I’m hesitant to start unless I know it can actually help. Is there anyone who has experience with this or thoughts about it? I’m not looking for reassurance or tips to fall asleep — only for ideas on how ERP might be applied in this situation.

learning2Bme

Date posted: 9w

First ERP session- TIPS??

A few hours ago I had my first ERP session and I am currently feeling nauseous and nervous at the same time. Right after my first exposure I wanted to quit right then and there, but I know I cannot. Does anyone have any tips for sitting with this level of discomfort? Anything is appreciated. Thanks! :-)

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Sleep panic

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