Nocturnal Panic Attacks are panic attacks that occur during sleep for no particular reason and wake people up in the height of anxiety, increased heart rate and sweating body.
- These attacks can be common with people who are already susceptible to getting panic attacks during the day time.
- They can occur for no particular reason and the exact cause of the attacks is unknown, but there are some identified risk factors.
- The attacks themselves often do not last for more than 10 minutes but people can have a hard time relaxing and falling back asleep.
- Most of the symptoms are very alarming and they can mimic a heart attack.
- More often than not, people who get a nocturnal attack of anxiety visit the emergency room fearing the worst.
- Most of the people who have had repeated bouts of these attacks say that their first attack was by far the worst one they had experienced.
Risk Factors For Panic Attacks At Night
The exact cause is not known, some of the risk factors that can increase the chances of getting these attacks include:
- Stress: Some people fall into a stressed and frightful sleep when they have a lot to think about.This can lead to waking up in panic. It can also lead to problems like night terrors and sleep apnea.
- Genetics: Studies suggest that people who have a familial history of panic disorder and night time panic attacks in particular are also prone to getting the attacks themselves.
- Underlying Sleep Disorders: Persons suffering from sleep disorders can also develop sleep panic.
- Preexisting Anxiety or Panic Disorder: Many patients with panic disorder find themselves with this problem also. Sometimes the issue is worse when an anxiety attack has already left them stressed out.
Symptoms And Treatment For Nocturnal Panic Attacks
A patient with nocturnal panic attack wakes up suddenly with the following symptoms:
- Sweating.
- Tachycardia or an increased heart rate.
- Shortness of breath with heavy breathing.
- Trembling.
- Feeling of impending doom.
- Flushing or feeling cold (Chills).
These symptoms typically last for about 10 minutes, but it can be difficult for patients to calm down or go back to sleep. Some will choose not to go back to bed for fear of getting a panic attack again.
Treatment For Panic Attacks
- Medication:
- The same drugs that are used in the treatment of panic attacks at daytime are used for nocturnal panic attacks.
- Depressants may also be provided to help prevent attacks from occurring in sleep.
- Meditation and Yoga Therapy:
- Helps people deal with these attacks.
- Promotes relaxation techniques (e.g. controlled breathing, visualization, pressure points).
- Helps to reduce the intensity of the attacks when they do occur.
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