If you use sleeping pills on a regular basis, you probably already know they’re not a smart long-term solution. But you may not be fully aware of the dangers they bring.
A few months ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with the horrible feeling that I was about to die.
(Spoiler alert: I’m fine now. In fact, this nightmarish evening actually led to me relieving my anxiety for good… I’ll tell you how in a moment.)
In a panic, I looked to my husband, who was sleeping soundly.
“Babe, wake up,” I begged as I frantically shook him awake. “I think I’m having a heart attack.”
“What? A heart attack?!” he asked.
He rubbed his eyes and then looked at me…
“Honey, you’re not having a heart attack,” he said.
“How do you know?!” I practically screamed. “This is different. I can’t take deep breaths no matter how hard I try – my skin is clammy, my chest feels tight, and I’m getting sharp pains through my arms.”
He hesitated for a moment. And honestly… even though I was freaking out, I couldn’t blame him for being so calm. This was not the first time I thought I was having a heart attack. But it felt so real this time!
Of course, they ALL felt real. Every time I reached that state of panic and anxiety, I lost sight of “the whole picture”. I’d forget about my anxiety, and I’d convince myself I’m dying yet again…
In fact, my anxiety had gotten so bad that I started avoiding social situations because I was afraid I’d have a panic attack. Then I started to worry that avoiding social situations was making me even more nervous instead of getting stronger… and before I knew it, I’d be spiraling down another anxiety rabbit hole.
In these moments, I lost my foundation. I lost my sense of reality. And many times, it led to awkward, uncomfortable, embarrassing moments like what happened that night…