Better Together

Home
Anxiety & Depression
Waking up TOO EARLY every day – with panic/anxious feelings! Anyone else?

Waking up TOO EARLY every day – with panic/anxious feelings! Anyone else?

Updated on April 2, 2016 in Anxiety & Depression

Unfollow Follow

scarchin66 15 1 on March 24, 2016

Hi!

Brain Type 7 here! My wife and I were stunned by the accuracy of the test re: my brain/personality!

First – a huge THANK YOU to Dr Amen and Tana for the one year of access to contest entrants! What an incredible resource this is.

For the past two years I have been waking up very early with anxious/panicky feelings.

No matter when I go to bed – at around 3-5 am I will awaken with upset feelings.
Yes – I was dealing with some personal issues and have addressed them via therapy.
However, while I have (mostly) gotten control of the problem thinking, I am noticing that the physical symptoms persist.

I have changed my theory that thoughts provoked this early morning upset feeling and am now thinking the reverse.

Feelings start at an anxious high and then slowly diminish throughout the day. At around 5-7 pm I start to feel totally normal.

Medically and physically I am in very good shape. Blood tests check out as fine.

I am taking no meds or supplements at this time.

My diet is very good and very low on carbs. High on meat and veg and dairy and healthy fats.

(Upside of period of upset was loss of 25 lbs which resulted in stopping 5 prescription meds for BP, Chol, and GERD. I got back into the gym as well.)

Not able to get much from my GP doc. Psychologist thinks there may be something to this on the bio/chemical side but does not specialize in this area.
Would like to avoid psychoactive meds if at all possible. I took Paxil for a year and basically felt flat. Feelings were there – but muted. Prob not good for a type 7.

Sooooooooooo….any folks have a similar experience – especially re: early morning waking?

<p>Hi!<br /> <br /> Brain Type 7 here! My wife and I were stunned by the accuracy of the test re: my brain/personality!<br /> <br /> First - a huge THANK YOU to Dr Amen and Tana for the one year of access to contest entrants! What an incredible resource this is.<br /> <br /> For the past two years I have been waking up very early with anxious/panicky feelings.<br /> <br /> No matter when I go to bed - at around 3-5 am I will awaken with upset feelings.<br /> Yes - I was dealing with some personal issues and have addressed them via therapy.<br /> However, while I have (mostly) gotten control of the problem thinking, I am noticing that the physical symptoms persist.<br /> <br /> I have changed my theory that thoughts provoked this early morning upset feeling and am now thinking the reverse.<br /> <br /> Feelings start at an anxious high and then slowly diminish throughout the day. At around 5-7 pm I start to feel totally normal.<br /> <br /> Medically and physically I am in very good shape. Blood tests check out as fine.<br /> <br /> I am taking no meds or supplements at this time.<br /> <br /> My diet is very good and very low on carbs. High on meat and veg and dairy and healthy fats.</p><p>(Upside of period of upset was loss of 25 lbs which resulted in stopping 5 prescription meds for BP, Chol, and GERD. I got back into the gym as well.)<br /> <br /> Not able to get much from my GP doc. Psychologist thinks there may be something to this on the bio/chemical side but does not specialize in this area.<br /> Would like to avoid psychoactive meds if at all possible. I took Paxil for a year and basically felt flat. Feelings were there - but muted. Prob not good for a type 7.<br /> <br /> Sooooooooooo....any folks have a similar experience - especially re: early morning waking?</p>

Cancel

Liked by

Reply

scarchin66 0 0 on March 24, 2016

UPDATE: Just got an email back from my GP. Said step one is melatonin 3mg at night. I’ve already tried that. Says step two is trazadone. Not sure I like that option…

Liked by

Reply

Coach_Zoe 2 1 on March 24, 2016

There are many reasons for anxiety, and as you’ve explored in psychotherapy, it can be complex. Sounds like improving your sleep will be immensely helpful. I would begin with these basic adjustments, which will all impact your ability to sleep well, if you haven’t already:

1) Remove any caffeine, sugar, and processed foods as these can increase anxiety (sounds like you are doing a lot of this already)
2) Consider taking a calming supplement, such as GABA Calming, Every Day Stress Relief, or Serotonin Mood Support.
2) Consider keeping a journal, drawing, writing, or some other outlet for your anxious feelings. “Moving” them out of your body can be immensely helpful, so include both physical and creative exercises as many days as you can to help keep anxiety at bay.
4) Try meditation audios on this website under “Strengthen My Mind” for help with relaxation when you are feeling anxious.
5) Be mindful of your information consumption. Sometimes we need a break from negative news stories, stress-inducing movies or television, and the like. You might consider declaring a hiatus on this kind of input if you are in a period of overload. This can help ease chronic anxiety if done consistently, or at least with designated breaks for days at a time.
6) Take time to laugh, relax, do something fun, or calming. Deliberate time for calm and joy is crucial to incorporate in our lives. Take a stroll outside in a peaceful setting, work in the garden, lay in a hammock, go see a comedy show, etc.

Keep us posted on your progress!

jbporter 0 on March 28, 2016

I’ve been unable to get some of the audiios to work. I can get the introductory audios but not others as hypnosis or music audios. Not sure if it’s my computer or something I’m not doing correctly.

scarchin66 0 on March 28, 2016

Hi Coach Z!

Any thoughts on Magnesium L-Threonate? I was just about to get the mag glycinate recommended by Dr. A, but saw an article about this apparently newer form.

Liked by

Reply

There are many reasons for anxiety, and as you've explored in psychotherapy, it can be complex. Sounds like improving your sleep will be immensely helpful. I would begin with these basic adjustments, which will all impact your ability to sleep well, if you haven't already:<br /><br />1) <strong>Remove any caffeine</strong>, sugar, and processed foods as these can increase anxiety (sounds like you are doing a lot of this already)<br />2) <strong>Consider taking a calming supplement</strong>, such as GABA Calming, Every Day Stress Relief, or Serotonin Mood Support. <br />2) <strong>Consider keeping a journal,</strong> drawing, writing, or some other outlet for your anxious feelings. "Moving" them out of your body can be immensely helpful, so include both physical and creative exercises as many days as you can to help keep anxiety at bay.<br />4) <strong>Try meditation audios</strong> on this website under "Strengthen My Mind" for help with relaxation when you are feeling anxious.<br />5) <strong>Be mindful of your information consumption</strong>. Sometimes we need a break from negative news stories, stress-inducing movies or television, and the like. You might consider declaring a hiatus on this kind of input if you are in a period of overload. This can help ease chronic anxiety if done consistently, or at least with designated breaks for days at a time.<br />6) <strong>Take time to laugh, relax, do something fun, or calming</strong>. Deliberate time for calm and joy is crucial to incorporate in our lives. Take a stroll outside in a peaceful setting, work in the garden, lay in a hammock, go see a comedy show, etc. <br /><br />Keep us posted on your progress!

Cancel

docamen 1 2 on March 24, 2016

Listen to the hypnosis sleep CD on the site. Also the sleep enhancing music. You might also try our Restful Sleep and add 250mg of magnesium glycinate. I would do those things before trazodone.

scarchin66 0 on March 28, 2016

Hi!

I was about to get the mag glycinate, but then read something about Magnesium L-Threonate. Thoughts?

Liked by

Reply

docamen 0 2 on March 24, 2016

Also, use the hypnosis audios for anxiety, and the brain relaxing music. Also, consider Everyday Stress Relief or GABA Calming for the anxiety.

Liked by

Reply

ShawnDesai 0 1 on March 25, 2016

Meditation audios work for me. In morning when I wake up anxious I try yog nidra audio. It makes me feel fresh. My morning anxiousness started after a legal battle I went through. It took a while for me to realize that I can get rid of it. I was on anti anxiety medications for a while but it mostly took care of symptoms. Now I am off of the drugs for a year. It feels great. Alcohol previous day also increase anxiety next day. Avoid drinking. Regular exercise will help too. Stress at work or in relationships puts me in same mode. I need to learn how to avoid that. If I can identify then I can avoid. Any suggestions?

Liked by

Reply

docamen 0 1 on March 25, 2016

These are all great suggestions. I always remember co-workers have their own stresses and negative thought patterns, so always try to keep mine clean.

Liked by

Reply

canadagrove 0 0 on March 25, 2016

Hi…I take Chasteberry Vitex & Vitamin A for panic(I take more like a handful of each when I am feeling it more-but if you take them every day, they build up better)…No caffeine products…Eating food is really important…I think that is why mornings are tough, because of the fasting…Eating a big carb like a bagel with cream cheese really slows down the feelings…I definitely feel it is biochemical…Worse if I have done alot of exercise the day before…

Liked by

Reply

scarchin66 0 0 on March 28, 2016

Wow! Thank you all. I will take these suggestions and report back.

Liked by

Reply

jbporter 0 0 on March 28, 2016

Have less problem with when have non-routine activity I’m looking forward to coming up that day.

Liked by

Reply

Fishbowl 1 0 on April 2, 2016

Well I’m not entirely sure this will be helpful, but I’ve actually encountered the exact opposite where i wind up sleeping a lot during the day. It actually throws me into a sensation of Deep comfort and at the same time tricks my mind into thinking I’ll start my broadcast on time. But instead I will sleep for too long and when i wake up I’ll feel absolutly worthless and feel bad I just wasted 2 extra hours sleeping where i could have accomplished something more productive. Now realizing Dr a himself responded a lot in this forum I could use any suggestions on how to get my sleep schedule Back on track and eat thjngs that won’t make me sleep at various points throught the day. But I’ll echo the laugh comment. Dick van dyke ( turning 90 btw) quoted this ” I try to chuckle hourly, it clears the brain” believe it or not that’s flight from stress!

GroveCanada 0 on April 2, 2016

Carbs make you sleepy…Throw in more raw plant based things during your day…Fruit too…Force yourself to go to bed early at night…Walking far every day will train your body to be awake during the day…This will take time to adjust to…A morning smoothie with raw eggs, banana, orange juice or coconut water, ice, will help get you going…Add some Heavy Metals Defense powder to clear out heavy metals, & you will be more awake in daytime…I use a powder called Pranin B that has guava, lemon, spirulina & holy basil…It is an eye opener!

Cancel

Liked by

Reply

Cancel

Click here to start your discussion

YOUR PREVIEW

0 0