Sleep anxiety makes it incredibly hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. It manifests as stress, nervousness, or fear surrounding falling asleep. Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the U.S. and sleep anxiety is becoming increasingly more common.
What is Sleep Anxiety?
Sleep anxiety means an individual has fear or worries surrounding going to bed. This could look like being fearful of not falling asleep or worrying about being able to stay asleep. For some, it may be just anxiety but for others it could be anxiety paired with a co-occurring sleep disorder like insomnia. The two conditions fuel each other, making it harder to get a good night’s sleep.
Spotting sleep anxiety can be difficult, but awareness makes it easier to understand and treat. Symptoms of sleep issues include:
- Feelings of being overwhelmed
- Inability to concentrate
- Irritability
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Sense of impending danger or doom
- Digestive problems
- Fast heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Tense muscles
- Trembling
Those struggling with sleep anxiety may experience all of these symptoms or only a few. Some days may be different than others, and sometimes sleep may come easily. But most of the time, sleep is hard to come by and it’s not a deep sleep.
Why Do Some People Get a Rush of Anxiety Right Before Bed?
Many people with sleep anxiety get a big rush of nerves right before bed. This is typical for the condition, and could be occurring for multiple reasons. The main reason for bedtime anxiety is not having the same distractions as during the day.
Instead of being able to shut out thoughts and worries, bedtime allows for anxiety to run wild. Likewise, if an individual wakes up in the middle of the night, the anxiety may come from wondering why they’re awake suddenly.
Overcoming Sleep Anxiety
There are many different methods to overcome sleep anxiety. It’s important to use trial and error to see what works. Some of the main methods used to alleviate sleep anxiety include:
- Medication management
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance And Commitment Therapy
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Exposure Therapy
- Mindfulness / Meditation
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
These treatment methods can be used over a long period of time to achieve consistently good sleep. They should not be done without the supervision of a medical team to ensure successful outcomes. If you or someone you know is experiencing one or more symptoms it may be time to seek professional treatment.
Seeking Treatment for Sleep Disorders
Getting support for sleep anxiety is important to prevent the condition from running your life. Whether you’re having trouble sleeping or a loved one is, professional treatment can make a massive difference in your quality of life. You do not have to suffer through each night. Make sleep something to look forward to – connect with the team at Alter Behavioral Health to find the right level of care for your needs.
If sleep anxiety is running your life, making it hard for you to get the rest you need to function, it’s time to seek anxiety treatment. Take the leap towards a restful night.
About Alter
Alter is a behavioral healthcare provider that specializes in evidence-based clinical treatment approaches. We provide a wide range of programs for adults and families experiencing mental health conditions including schizophrenia, depression, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, substance abuse, and more. This is done through client-centered care for a full-continuum of treatment. We serve the entire U.S. population from our revolutionary locations throughout sunny Southern California. Whether an individual needs 24/7 care or wants an outpatient program – we are there to guide every step of the journey. For more information, give us a call at (877) 613-9776 or visit our website at alterbehavioralhealth.com.
