Panic Attacks in Sleep
After you worked all day, the one thing you’re praying for is a decent
night’s rest. You’re sleeping peacefully and suddenly… you awake with sheer terror with no
explanation as to why you woke up with it. You breathe shallow, quick breaths, your stomach
hurts and your mind feels dizzy. This is what is called panic attacks in
sleep.
Don’t Ignore Your Nighttime Panic Attacks – Seek Out Help
Do you suffer from daytime panic attacks? If so, then you have a high
chance of suffering with panic attacks during the night. These attacks tend to last no longer
than 15 minutes but it’s those 15 minutes that you don’t sleep that can ruin your entire
night. After all, sleep helps the body and brain get through the next day.
Sleep panic attacks are nothing to play around with and you shouldn’t
just write them off as just nightmares or bad dreams. Panic attacks during the night
shouldn’t be looked at as if it’s the end of everything. This may also be caused
by sleep apnea symptoms. You can control your panic attacks at night because all
they are is the result of your fears, anxiety and worries.
If you experience panic attacks at night (even just one time) then
don’t play around and seek out help immediately to confirm if panic attacks or sleep apnea
symptoms may be the cause. With the help of your therapist, you’ll have a strategy to combat
your nighttime attacks or apnea; a plan that’s sure to help you get past your anxiety
issues.
What To Expect At The Therapist’s Office
When you decide to visit a therapist to get over your nighttime
attacks, he/she will try to figure out if you’re really suffering from them or if you’re
suffering from another illness. Sleep apnea has similar symptoms to overnight panic attacks.
Sleep apnea, if you don’t know, is when you don’t have enough air getting into your lungs as
you rest.
If your therapist is convinced that you are suffering from these
nighttime attacks, he/she will start by looking at the life you lead. From there, they make
ask you to incorporate some changes and adopt healthier habits that are great at getting you
a great night’s rest.
What Lifestyle Changes Will You Be Asked To Make
It may be hard to give up certain things in your life but if you want
to stave off panic attacks at night, it’s best to make these changes. The first thing you
should do is to eliminate the consumption of caffeine and alcohol and quit smoking. The
second thing you should pick up is exercising but don’t do any heavy exercising right before
bedtime, as this increase of adrenaline in your body can cause your nighttime panic attacks.
These changes for some people are major but for other people, not so bad.
Try to remember that not all changes are bad. The majority of
therapists encourage sex before bedtime because sex releases endorphins that will relax the
mind. You can also drink herbal tea to naturally relax you.
Other Treatments For Nighttime Panic Attacks
Besides doing the lifestyle changes, your therapist may ask that you
do therapy. One popular treatment for you to do would be cognitive behavioral therapy (or
CBT). CBT looks at the thinking patterns of your mind to see how your behavior can be
changed. Keep in mind that this change will take time and will be slow to be done; however,
research shows that CBT does work for people who suffer with nighttime panic attacks along
with other types of anxiety disorders.
Medication may be used in conjunction with CBT so that you get the
sleep you need every night. However, these medications can be addictive and are not always
the best solution to your chronic overnight panic attacks. You don’t want to become addicted to something that allows
you to sleep when you should be able to sleep naturally. Use nighttime drugs with extreme
vigilance.
Rather than taking medication,
change how you live. This means exercising on a regular basis (usually best in the early
mornings) and doing relaxation techniques that can counter your anxiety and stress. Relaxation
techniques can include yoga and meditation. No matter when you panic attacks strike, they can be
scary. Control them and get over your nighttime panic attacks.
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