UndercoverAngel
Hi Jerry.
Sorry you have this issue. Mine didn't happen before bed, it used to happen right after I would fall asleep. I wouldn't be able to tell if I was dreaming or if I had woke up. I was afraid, and thought there was something/someone there also. Doctors labeled it as night terrors, stemming from PTSD. Sometimes I would start screaming and I would shake for sometimes over an hour. I would fall back to sleep out of pure exhaustion.
Do you have a routine? Are you aware of what you think its is trying to hurt you? Mine was always people. Men to be exact. Once I started putting it all together, and learning where it stemmed from, I was more able to comprehend why it was happening and work on those particular issues. I also had to increase my anxiety med before bed, but that wasn't permanent. Only until it became under control.
When you say you cannot see, do you try or is it that you are afraid to look? Use a night light, and if and when you are able to look or see, you will be able to see that there is nothing there. Also, we can tend to become nervous and anxious before going to bed because we already know what is going to happen. Do a walk around, and try to think positive. Before I go to bed, I always pray. Not sure if you pray or not, that is just what helped me. This post was from June, I am hoping that you are feeling better, and hopefully getting to sleep better.