Hi Mark,

You're caught in something of a vicious cycle where one of the first things that enters you head upon waking is that you might be dying. I think you are experiencing something of an anxiety episode (panic attack).

However, just to be on the safe side, have you actually had yourself checked out? I ask because the incidence of heart attacks is higher in the morning. If you're sure your heart is ok, then its back to psychology.

When you wake, your blood pressure increases and your heart rate starts to increase. It could be that you have established a sensitivity to this in which you are feeling & possibly hearing your heart beat increase and this is being misinterpreted. The cycle starts quite rapidly and anxiety further increases heart rate and a sense of genuine discomfort and fear.

I think you would benefit from some treatment. There are different ways you might choose to go about this but the point of such treatment is to break into the pattern you are experiencing and replace it. This may involve you changing some habits - such as not lying in bed and reflecting on what is happening - to relaxation techniques - to thought stopping techniques.

What you describe is not at all uncommon, so take comfort in this and the fact that you can be helped. Self help, using a properly endorsed self-help course, may help but I suspect that face to face contact migh be more effective.

I wish you well.