I have this fear every night that if I fall asleep, something bad will happen to me. I have to take melatonin every night to be able to fall asleep and it’s like I avoid or put off sleeping for as long as possible most nights. I will sometimes wake up panicky because I think something or someone will be there in the dark. 

Some nights will be okay but if I am restless or had an experience during the day that put my on edge then I can’t stop the anxious thoughts from starting. It’s always the fear that someone will break into my place and hurt me. 

I can’t watch scary movies or true crime without being incapable of falling asleep normally for a couple of days. I also cannot fall asleep in new places. Not on a friends couch, not in a new lover’s bed, etc. It is as if any new place poses a threat to my mind. To me, the fact that I have fear around sleeping is so counterintuitive because sleeping is when I am most at peace. I just wish I could fall asleep easily. 

Anyone experience this as well? Thoughts or advice?