Panic attacks

I also posted this in the general disscussion forum:

Hello, I'm a noob. I began reading up on spirituality to cure my fear of the unknown, of death. And to cure me from that fact that i was beginning to go crazy.

I used to have, what i guess is called "panic attacks" at night. I'd be asleep and then this tremendous fear of hopelessness and loneliness, of knowing that one day I would not be here, would take over me and wake me out of my sleep with my heart racing, etc.

I did have the same vision everytime too. I visioned myself falling upwards, into this void, where i could see stars and such, so I'm assuming it was space that I was seeing, and I could see my arms stretch out in front of me like i was reaching to get of hold of something, anything, just so i wouldnt feel alone. then id wake up in a panic.

Has anyone ever expericienced this?

Since I've began reading on spirituality and looking inward, these attacks have gone away. Every now and then it tries to mildly sneak up on me in the day time, but i just calm myself and reassure myself that all is ok.

My theory is that perhaps my "higher self" was trying to tell me that i was void/empty and that I should begin to discover that maybe there's more to life than just physical death?

I used to believe that there was no god, i guess I was bitter from being raised catholic. now im beginning to believe that there is more. ive seen "signs" i guess if you want to call them that. just mild signs as a result of asking for higher help in desperation.

anyones input is highly appreciated.

thank you for your time.

Hey pinkmix!

I used to have this nightmare all the time when I was smaller. I was in this white room, completely white, as if it were pure. I actually would see it that way. Suddenly, out of nowhere, cracks would start appearing all over the place, destroying the "purity" of the place. I would always wake up crying, completely hopeless cuz there was nuthin I could do to stop the cracks and the darkness. I used to be very scared when I went to sleep, hoping I wouldnt dream the same thing.

Later on, I found out that thinking about it prolly made it come back all the time, so I used to just try to "stock up" on positive thoughts before going to sleep, to avoid having that nightmare.

I dont even remember when I stopped having that nightmare, but I guess those positive thoughts really made it go away. Maybe you could try that before going to sleep. Try to think how beautiful life is, how thankful you are for everything you have, think about your friends and family, or whatever just brings a smile to your face.

I've never feared death cuz I guess I see it as a step we all have to take sometime. I believe in an afterlife, a nice one, so I guess death can't be that bad, can it?

Anyway, try to focus on positive things b4 you go to sleep and u'll see how the quality of ur dreams gets a lot better. Tell us how it went ;)

I guess even the best "Experts" here could never answer this one. Are we just useless Duracell batteries or is there something else. Isn't Eight Hours spent dreaming the most lonliest experience of all ???. Whichever way you look at it.........Some Higher Power is taking the Piss.

thank you for the replies, its comforting to know that there are others, and i dont have to feel alone.

You dont have to have a belief if god to enjoy life. I am a bit of a agnostic, and I perfect content with life. I just think we should make the best of our situation here. Who knows what will happen when we die and we all have to deal with it, and there is nothing we can do.

Hope you find what you're looking for.