It effects him most at bed time, when the house is quiet & dark. I stay up till I know he is asleep as he usually wakes in a bit of a panic after about an hour or so of falling to sleep. He takes Melatonin to assist in sleep onset other wise he is awake late into the night & his anxiety runs wild.
Last night he was scared, tummy cramps, restless legs, hot... the usual run down for his evening while going to sleep.
We have tried many different techniques to help him relax at bed time. But most are short lived before he claims nothing works.
One thing I have found to work well for him is a weighted item. Some use weighted blankets or lap bags to help.
It provided a deep pressure that helps to feel secure. In the past I have used a large cotton blanket (similar to those in hospitals) folded in 4 & that worked well. Now that its warmer its too hot for him. But I have a heat bag that has a good amount of weight in it. Its a long one, designed to drape over your shoulders. He tells me he likes that one as the warmth & having it draped across his back feels like I am still standing by his bed.
Last night though, I got him to try visualising. I asked him to visualise an army of little green men working their way from the top of his head to the tip of his toes, charging though & fighting the anxiety, forcing it to leave his body.
I think he tried. He was sleep not long after I left the room. So fingers crossed his new little army can help fight his anxiety!
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