Need some support..DH & Anxiety

[MommyToElla]

I'll try to make a long story short. DH has had anxiety issues since for about 12 years now. Had major breakdown/panic attacks suddenly when we were in college and has been on paxil for them since. Over the years he's had some small attacks here and there but has generally been able to overcome them. Within the last 6 months he's been a lot more prone to attacks and has issues sleeping.. over the past 2 month, he's had a couple attacks that are bad.. last days and he doesn't know why. With this comes along the days of staying up until 1/2am because he can't sleep (and then days of being exhausted and falling asleep at a normal time). Of course this leads to him being depressed, etc. He knows he needs to do something about his medicine and get a therapist but he drags his feet because he doesn't want to face it/hates to admit he has a mental issue going on. I'm very supportive and he knows it, appreciates it. He talks freely with me and I help him in the moment but it's lingering and lingering. Over the past 2 months or so he gets so tired that he's falling asleep while doing things.. like he'll be sitting outside smoking a cigarette at the patio table and he'll fall asleep.. or tonight i found him sleeping on the toilet. He is so tired he trips and stumbles when he walks to bed or is slurring while talking to me (believe me, I've asked about drugs or alchool and I feels he's being honest with me). He says lately he can't get up for work (this has never been such an issue), that he's basically fine at work but when he's heading home (which tonight wasn't until 8:30pm) it's like he hits a wall and he's freaked out by the falling asleep at odd spots..it's scaring him. He'll come home and say he can't go to bed early because he thinks he needs to help me straighten up/get the kids to bed and then he's up late all over again. Could this be some part of his depression/anxiety? Can it lead to him being this tired and out of it?
I've been holding strong but I'm starting to worry more and more.. Once he goes for help it will get better, right? I just need him to get there..

thanks.. just having a little freak out.

[Oubliette8]

I think he should probably get a full physical and a sleep study. It sounds to me like he may have a physical problem that is fueling the sleep issue- maybe apnea, or some sort of medical issue. The exhaustion from not getting enough sleep can then make his anxiety problems so much worse. I would also imagine that if he's so tired, he may be turning to caffeine to help him stay awake through the day, which can also really aggravate anxiety. I would search for a physical cause for the exhaustion first, and see if it helps once he is sleeping better.

[Gator-mom]

I agree that there could be more going on here than just anxiety/depression. He should definitely see a doctor for a full physical and check up.

I've had prolonged periods of anxiety, where I only got 2 hours of sleep at night for a week in a row, but I never fell asleep in the middle of doing something. If I knew I was that tired, I'd make sure I got to bed as I didn't know how long it would be before I'd be able to rest like that again.