Sleep panic attacks affect between half and seventy-five percent of suffer from panic attacks during the day. Having a panic episode in daylight is bad enough. Having one in the darkness of the night is even worse.
In the dark things tend to upset people more than usual. This is true for people who do not suffer from panic attacks. In fact, most people may have had a disturbed night because of some irrational fear even if they have never had a panic attack.
For most people, just turning on the lights and looking around their house dispels the fear. It doesn't work that way if your problem is a nocturnal anxiety attack.
The signs and symptoms of a sleep panic attack are essentially the same as one occurring during daytime. For example, the person usually experiences a pounding pulse, quick shallow breathing, tingling in their arms and legs, a sense of doom and so on. In short, all the things that go with any panic episode.
For some people the panic attack might occur just as they start to doze. For others, the panic comes out of nowhere while they're soundly asleep.
If you experience panic attacks at night, you should be aware that you can control the symptoms. However, to do this, you need some tips and help.
First is to get a complete physical evaluation. Some physical problems that look a lot like the symptoms of anxiety episode. You want to make sure that's not an issue for you. With nocturnal panic attacks, sleep problems such as sleep apnea may be a concern. Your physician may well recommend evaluation in a sleep lab.
The next thing to do is to make sure that your habits at night help you get a restful night's sleep. This means avoiding or reducing stimulants like caffeine. Keep your bedroom for sleeping and indulging in romantic activities. Do not read or watch television in your bedroom. Also, try not to watch the news or dramatic and distressing movies and television shows before you retire to bed. If you have panic attacks, the last thing you need is to have all these disturbing images floating in your mind just before you go to sleep.
The final step I'll recommend here is to take steps to eliminate your panic attacks.
A night time anxiety episode is like any other panic attack except it occurs at night. Because it happens at night it may be more terrifying, but that doesn't affect the treatment plan. One thing that is slightly different is that if the night time episodes are fairly frequent, a physician may recommend a sedative at bedtime as a temporary measure while longer term treatments have a chance to take effect.
One problem with prescription "sleeping pills" is that they interfere with normal sleep patterns. A night's sleep after you've taken Ambien isn't as restful as a night's sleep without the sedative.
The other problem with sedatives is that they can be habit forming. That is why when you are put on sedatives, you need to realize that they are only meant for short-term use. Your treatment for sleep panic attack should address the issue of duration of the sedative and how you are going to wean yourself off it.
You can read about an excellent treatment program for panic attacks and especially nocturnalpanic attacks at:Panic Away Review. And to learn more about panic attacks and the night visit:nocturnalPanic Attacks